Barber shops, salons gear up to reopen today in Mumbai

As barbershops and salons are set to reopen from Sunday across Maharashtra, the state government has issued guidelines and ordered salons to adhere to standard operating procedures on hygiene and cleanliness. The guidelines also instruct employees to wear protective gear including gloves, aprons and masks.

Mumbai: Barbershops and salons are set to reopen from Sunday in Mumbai with the Maharashtra government issuing a notification to reopen them in the State under its 'Mission Begin Again Phase IV'.

Shahid Hussain, a salon owner, said, "We will record customers' temperatures and provide them with hand sanitisers when they enter our shop. We will use a new towel and haircut seat for each customer."

Hairstylists will wear PPE kits like mask and gloves.

Barber shops, salons will reopen today in Maharashtra

"Use and throw products will be used. Without a prior appointment, we will not attend any customer. We will only use four to five staff at the maximum," he said.

A barber in the shop said, "We will use gloves, sanitiser and try to maintain distance."

The barbershops and salons have to adhere to strict rules and regulations for their functioning.

According to the government notification, barbershops, salons, and beauty parlours will be allowed to function with prior appointments only. Only select services such as haircut, dyeing hair, threading etc are allowed. Skin related services will not be permitted presently. This should prominently be displayed in the shops.

The order also said the salons should adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) on hygiene and cleanliness and employees must wear protective gear including gloves, aprons and masks.

Meanwhile, president of the Maharashtra Salon and Parlor Association Somnath Kashid said that there are 10 lakh salon professionals in Maharashtra and 40 lakh people depend on them. He further said that they are amongst the worst hit by the lockdown, and that is why it is important for salons to reopen.

"However, the salon professionals are thankful to the government for reopening the salons, they feel the government should have discussed with the salon professionals and finalised the rules," says Somnath.

Requests from salon owners:

Haircuts to become expensive

According to the rules laid down by the government, if we only want to cut hair, we have no choice but to increase the price. Currently, a haircut costs Rs 100. We will have to charge Rs 175 to work in this situation. Since the shops have been closed for three months, we are facing a lot of difficulties. In such a situation, when the government needs to help us, the difficulties we face are exacerbated. If you want to start a salon, start all over, otherwise don't start, requested Sambhaji Raikar.

Allow all services in the salon, otherwise, provide financial assistance

At the moment only haircuts are allowed. The ban on beards and facials will only increase the loss of salon professionals. Spa and parlour services are also banned. Since the business has been closed for the last four months, there is no money, the shop owners are threatening to demolish the shop if rent is not paid. How to survive on just haircuts in such a situation? Salon professional Kiran Kale demanded that the government should allow all services in the salon, otherwise it should provide financial assistance to the salon professionals.