Coronavirus Safety Tips for Salons and Spas
Due to the growing concern over COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) has released a helpful Q&A with executive director Steve Sleeper to help ensure its members and the community at large have the most up-to-date, accurate information. Please use the resources and information below to ensure that you, your staff and community are safe as this virus spreads.
What impact do you see or think we’ll see on the beauty industry?
There will, no doubt, be an impact on the beauty industry due to COVID-19. Thus far, we’ve seen several industry events be cancelled or postponed, as well as a decline in salon visits in infected communities. The full extent of what this will look like has yet to be seen.
What are your top concerns in regards to the effect of Coronavirus in the salon environment?
Our top concerns are the health and wellness of the individuals in the industry, their clients and customers as well as the potential economic impact on the salons and licensed beauty professional. Aside from maintaining health as the most integral priority, we want to help ensure that the salon world is minimally impacted economically. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not recommended quarantines for individuals other than those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or those who have been potentially exposed to the virus. As long as salon professionals are practicing safety and hygiene precautions and related communications, the CDC has maintained business as usual for the time being.
Historically, the professional beauty industry has thrived, even through challenging times. A smart way to ensure that the salon industry is prepared for whatever the economy brings is to have a strong cash-flow plan in place. The PBA offers roadmaps and business building tools for its members to help gain fiscal stability—even through tough times. PBA also has in place a tele-health insurance program at a reduced rate for Members of $10/month. This service allows our Members to virtually connect with board certified professionals for medical consultations, questions, and concerns. For more information on this benefit as well as others, please visit probeauty.org.
Are you suggesting that stylists and professionals take specific precautions to prevent the spread?
The health and well-being of both the professional salon industry and its clientele is a top priority, and the best way to help ensure that is to practice great salon and personal hygiene always—not just during this public health emergency, but always. This is a great example of why beauty professionals are licensed and that salons are regulated, inspected and have oversight by a state level regulatory body. It’s all there to ensure that the health and safety of everyone in the salon environment and their public customers are protected. While the CDC has shared that for most of the American public, the immediate health risk is considered low, below is a list of easy-to-follow practices that the PBA recommends salon professionals follow to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as seasonal colds and flu, based on collective information from both the CDC and World Health Organization:
- Disinfection: Barbering and cosmetology State Boards direct that proper cleaning and disinfection are mandatory at all times—from tools and implements to areas with counter tops, treatment rooms, back bars, reception areas, and styling stations. Be sure to strictly follow this—wiping down busy areas often with an antibacterial cleaner.
- Wash your Hands: The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to help prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands before and after every client, after eating, using the restroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Keep a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer at your station, as well.
- Stay Home: Try to keep your immune system strong—lots of vitamin C, restful sleep, and drink ample water. However, if you—or your client—gets sick, the CDC strongly recommends to stay home. As an added measure, the PBA recommends offering your clientele a “sickness cancellation policy” during this time that does not penalize any client for cancelling their appointment due to illness.
- Well-stocked Salon: Make sure your salon has tissue, soap, and alcohol-based hand cleansers to encourage healthful habits.
- Hands Off: During the cold and flu season, shaking hands or giving hugs to your clients and co-workers is not a good idea. Rather, tell your client that you’re practicing good hygiene and following the“hands off” protocol to help keep everyone healthy. Also, keep your hands “off” and away from your face, as that’s an easy path for transmission.
- Signage and Communication: Post signage at the front desk, as well as in the salon break room reminding guests and employees about the importance of hygiene standards such as hand washing, sanitizer, wiping down stations after use, covering coughs, and hands off policies. Also, it’s important to share with your clientele the precautions your salon is taking to do its part in helping to prevent the spread of the coronavirus—during online bookings, on the phone, via text, and in person.
- CDC: Follow the CDC for facts as they become available—this continues to be the best source for information; www.cdc.gov.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?
The main symptoms of COVID-10 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Find out more about symptoms from the World Health Organization. Further, symptoms generally follow the subsequent path:
- It will first infect the throat, so you’ll have a sore throat lasting 3 to 4 days
- The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5 to 6 days further.
- With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.
- The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you’re drowning. It’s imperative you then seek immediate attention.
