General Info – Page 2 – Barber Banter Shop

Having looked at some of the things being carried out in barbershops which are reopening in other countries around the world, here are some ideas that we may want to consider introduction in our barbershops when we finally reopen. Temperature Checks: Barbershops should consider use of a touch-less infrared thermometer to check the temperature of employees each day and of each client who enters the salon/shop. Any member of staff or client who has a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius should be sent home immediately. Screening Questions: Ask each client entering the shop the following questions. This is probably best done with a poster in your window. 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 your Barbershop: Barbershops should consider seeing clients by appointment only and make appointments online or on the phone. Many good Apps are available for this. Reach out in the Facebook group to get peoples thoughts on the best one for you.If appointments are not possible, we need to limit the number of people in the waiting area. It is recommended that clients wait outside the shop until it is their time. This is happening in shops and supermarkets already, so people will probably accept this situation.It is recommended that people not having a haircut in your shop, i.e. family members or partners’ wait outside. Maintain Social Distancing: This is obviously one of the most difficult areas to address. Spacing between persons in the barbershop should be at least six feet at all times. Shops should consider, if possible, additional spacing between stations and also spacing out the waiting chairs. Don’t forget when disinfecting to address the waiting chairs as well. Use of Personal Protective Equipment and Best Practices: People working in the shop will be required to wear masks at all times. If finances and supply allow, some may want to consider providing masks to clients. Many hairdressing wholesalers carry masks, for the nail industry, so it may be advisable to contact them as soon as soon. Barbershops should also make use of gloves, disposable or re-washable capes, neck strips, etc. These items should be disinfected or disposed of between each client. I myself plan to go to ‘one gown per customer’ system and currently have 60 gowns on order. May be worth reaching out to your wholesalers and see if you can come to some sort of deal. And don’t forget to buy extra washing powder!If it is an option in your shop, staff should shower and change after a days work. Or advise them to do so as soon as they arrive home.Hand washing with soap and warm water, for a minimum of 20 seconds will be required by employees between every single client.Anti-bacterial gel should be made available and clients should be encouraged to use this on entering and on exiting the shop.If you have self employed people in your shop, you need to confirm that they all have up to date Public Liability Insurance. Cleaning and Disinfection your Barber shops All businesses should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to reopening. Disinfect all surfaces, tools, even if they were cleaned before the shop was closed. Barbercide can be diluted on put into spray bottles to assist with this and also be used between customers. I’ve found the ideal spray for this is the Continuous Water Spray.Disinfect all tools, shampoo areas, workstations, treatment rooms and rest areas. Also remember to disinfect the door handles of the shop as well.Remove all unnecessary items from reception areas, including magazines, newspapers and any other unnecessary paper products which could carry the virus.Avoiding exchanging cash, but if this is unavoidable, make sure to wash and sanitize hands well after each transaction, which you should be doing anyway. Credit and debit transactions are preferred, using touch/swipe/no signature technology. Sum Up is an excellent and easy to set up system. Don’t forget to wipe the unit down as well. Staff Safety Members of staff who are sick will be expected to stay home.Owners and managers should provide the correct training, educational materials, and reinforcement on proper sanitation, hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette, use of PPE, and other situation which may arise within the barbershop.Make certain break rooms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and not use for congregating by members of staff.Shop owners should try to be flexible with work schedules/shop hours to reduce the number of people (staff and clients) in the barbershop at all times in order to maintain proper social distancing measures.The restrictions in your shop should be clear and obvious for the clients and any infringements must be dealt with immediately and appropriately. Final Thoughts When the time finally comes that we are allowed back to work, we must be aware that it will not be business as usual. But it is crucial that, as an industry, we adhere to strict guidelines, to protect, not only ourselves, but our clients too. Working together I am confident that we can ensure the health and safety for all. And having read some of the comments on the Facebook group and watched some of the excellent Modern Barber Magazine chats, I am sure that we will look back in years to come and be proud of the measures which we practiced in our barbershops, to defeat this dreadful virus. Stay Safe.