Salon/shop owners and managers should use the OSHA “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” as a guide for reopening.
• Temperature checks -Salons should consider use of a touchless infrared thermometer to check the temperature of employee each day and of each client who enters the salon/shop. Any employee or client who has a temperature above 99°F should be sent home immediately and not allowed to return to the salon/shop until they have no fever and no evidence of COVID-19 symptoms.
• Ask each client entering the shop the following questions:
Have you had a cough?
Have you had a fever,
Have you been around anyone exhibiting these symptoms within the past 14 days? Are you living with anyone who is sick or quarantined?
• Limit people in the shop/salon – Salons/shops should consider seeing clients by appointment only. Salons/shops should consider telephonic or online scheduling. Limit the number of persons waiting area in the salon/shop. It is recommended that clients wait outside the salon/shop in their vehicle until the cosmetologist or barber is ready to serve them. It is recommended that persons not being serviced in the salon/shop wait outside the salon/shop. Salons/shops are not be used for social gathering places!
• Maintain social distancing at all times! Spacing between persons in the salon should be at least six feet, except when staff are servicing clients. Salons/shops should consider additional spacing between booths, divider shields, and/or alternate work schedules to accomplish this.
• Personal Protective Gear-
Wearing masks – Salon/shop employees will be required to wear masks at all times. Salons
may want to consider providing masks to clients. Clients should wear face masks to the
extent possible while receiving services.
Face Shields – If available, it is recommended that employees wear face shields when
servicing clients.
Gloves – It is recommended that employees wear disposable gloves when servicing clients
and change gloves between each client to the greatest extent possible.
Capes - Each client should be draped with a clean cape. Capes should be laundered
following the fabric recommendations between each client, or salons/shops may consider
using disposable capes and dispose of the cape after it is used.
Smocks -Employees should wear a clean smock between each client. Smocks should be
laundered following the fabric recommendations between each client, or salons/shops may consider using disposable smocks and dispose of the smock after use on a client.
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Safety Guidelines for reopening Barber and Cosmetology Salons
Neck strips – Employees should use protective neck strips around the neck of each hair-cut client.
Hand-washing with soapy, warm water, for a minimum of 20 seconds will be required by employees between every client service.
Employee clothing – Employees should arrive at the salon/shop showered and wearing clean clothing. Employees should change clothes before entering their homes when they return from work.
PPG, such as gloves, gowns, drapes, linens and eye coverings should be changed between each client. These used items should be cleaned and disinfected or discarded in a closed container.
• Disinfection –
All salons/shops should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening. Disinfect
all surfaces, tools, and linens, even if they were cleaned before the salon/shop was closed.
Use disinfectants that are EPA –registered and labeled as bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal. No product will be labeled for COVID-19 yet, but many will have human
coronavirus efficacy either on the label or available on their website. The EPA has approved any product that has tested as effective against human coronavirus. If in doubt of the effectiveness, check the EPA website.
Disinfectant for immersion of tools, must be mixed daily and replaced sooner if it becomes contaminated throughout the work day. Disinfectant only works on a clean surface so clean all surfaces and tools with hot soapy water, Ship-shape or cleaning wipes (if using wipes, be sure to cover surface thoroughly) before disinfecting.
Contact time on label must be observed for disinfectant to work. Contact time refers to how long the disinfectant is visibly wet on the surface allowing it to thoroughly destroy all of the pathogens. Typical contact time for immersion/sprays is 10 minutes, for disinfectant wipes is 2-4 minutes.
Disinfectants used for immersion must be changed daily or sooner if it becomes contaminated (ex: hair/debris floating in solution or cloudy solution.)
Disinfection is for hard non-porous surfaces, glass metal and plastic.
Porous/soft surfaces can not be disinfected and must only be used once and then discarded
(tools such as cardboard files, buffers, drill bits etc.)
Launder all linens, towels drapes, and smocks in hot soapy water and dry completely at the
warmest temperature allowed and store in an airtight cabinet. Store all used/dirty linens in
an airtight container.
The use of mask is mandatory. Place a clean towel, placed over the face of your client while
at the sink in a good way to protect their mouth, nose and eyes. Minimize to the greatest
degree possible, up-close, direct face-to-face contact with clients.
• Reception area -
Remove all unnecessary items such as magazines, newspapers, service menus, any other
unnecessary paper products and decor. Wipe down all seats and tables; cloth chairs cannot
be properly cleaned and disinfected, using a plastic cover should be considered.
Wipe reception desk with disinfectant. Consider discontinuing use of paper appointment
books or cards, and replace with electronic options.
