Personal Services Guidance

Updated November 1, 2021

There is no curfew in effect and the below guidance must be followed.

Key Points

Barbershops, beauty salons, spas and massage therapists are permitted to provide services that require masks to be removed.
Staff must wear masks (covering their nose and mouth) at all times, including during treatment.
Customers must wear masks when indoors, except during services that require masks to be removed.

Travel Guidance for Staff and Clients

The Ministry of Health advises against any non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The owner should develop travel policies for both employees and attendees to ensure the information is adequately communicated.

For further guidance visit the Travellers' Quick Guide and the web pages for travellers.

Staff Requirements:

Staff working in close proximity with clients should continue to test for COVID at a minimum of every twenty-one (21) days. A risk assessment should be carried out to determine the individual risk provided by any particular service.

All staff must wear appropriate face masks/Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

All staff and contractors must train on appropriate cleaning and disinfection, mask/PPE wearing protocols, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette.

All staff must take the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) training course and passed the test (minimum 80%). A screen shot of the final result page can be utilized.

Employers

May screen staffs before coming into the salon/barbershop.

Ensure that staff and clients are symptom free.

Assess the risk of recent travel and ensure that persons and personnel do not enter if they present any risk.

Send home any staff who has any of the following new or worsening signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19:

Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chill
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
Loss of taste or smell
Diarrhea
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
Known close contact with a person who has a positive COVID-19 test or is under quarantine.

Do not allow staff with new or worsening signs or symptoms listed above to return to work. Follow Department of Health guidelines for returning to work.

If staff is exposed to a COVID-19 positive person, they will be contacted by a health officer and provided guidance on quarantining and any testing requirements.

Staff should wash/sanitize their hands upon entering the salon/barbershop and between interactions with customers, (following Dept. of Health guidelines, 20 seconds etc.)

Staff may maintain at least 6 feet separation from other individuals. If such distancing is not feasible, face shields can be worn in addition to face masks. Hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced.

Contact tracing

The contact details of your patrons must be recorded and kept for 21 days. If requested, this information must be provided to Public Health Officers to assist with contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The contact details to be collected include:

The full name of client
Date and time of visit
Name of Stylist/Barber
Phone number
Email address

Services

Services that require the client to remove their mask in order to carry out the service ARE permitted.

Facility

Clean and disinfect all work area surfaces chairs, head rest, arm rests. Harsh chemicals and disinfectants can damage leather or leatherette materials. Cloth chairs cannot be disinfected. They should be covered with a washable or disposable covering.

Clean and disinfect the reception area.

Wipe reception desk and phone station with disinfectant. Include cash machines, computers and keyboards.

Remove all unnecessary items that cannot be sanitized: magazines, newspapers, service menus, and décor. Maintain a supply of sanitizing wipes or sanitizer at the front desk.

Ensure break-rooms and any other communal areas are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

Clean and disinfect all hampers and trash containers. Both should have a lid and be lined with a disposable bag.

Clean and disinfect all restroom surfaces including floors, sinks, toilet bowls, and touch points. Store paper products in a closed cabinets and provide liquid hand soap. Provide and easily accessible lidded trash can. Remove unnecessary clutter or décor.

Allow sufficient time in between clients for completion.

Continue to use products effective against SARS COV-2. Do not opt for cheaper or unproven alternatives.

Hand washing and hand sanitizing should continue and be completed properly by clients and staff.

Facemasks: Staff must wear masks (covering their nose and mouth) at all times, including during treatment. Clients must wear a mask (covering their nose and mouth) at all times, unless receiving treatment requiring the removal of their mask.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING: Continue to utilize barriers and shields or to ensure distancing of at least six (6) feet minimum. - (note: this is no longer mandatory but it is recommended)

Do not permit overcrowding or multiple clients to gather in the entrance areas or lobby. Continue to manage movement about the premises with clear signage.

Do not book multiple clients at one time.

Walk-ins shall only permitted where all other requirements can be achieved.