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By Tiffany Goodwein

Beauty salons try to stay open, brace for loss amid COVID-19

Mar 18, 2020 | 7:09 PM

MEDICINE HAT AB,- With a precise hand lux lashes are applied one by one.

This, one of the treatments offered at Plush Salon and Spa.

But with recommendations like don’t touch your face, and to self -isolate and social distance, treatments like these during the COVID-19 pandemic are questioned.

The province has not ordered a shutdown of salons but those in the beauty industry are already feeling the impact.

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” What I’ve been finding is a lot of people have been cancelling their appointments. I think this is just due to the fact that people don’t want to leave their houses at all so people are doing the self-quarantining, self-isolating, taking the precautions,” said Jenna Engel, Owner of Plush Salon and Spa.

Engel said the beauty salon industry is heavily regulated, with strict cleaning already mandated by province health inspectors, who visit all salons regularly to ensure compliance.

But Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the salon has been taking increased measures like limiting the number of staff in their salon to five at a time , and asking those who have travelled overseas not to come in and to self isolate instead.

“We’re definitely stepping up, we took away all the magazines, as well as the toys for the kids to play with, we’re now introducing disposable cups, just to help with any extra diseases or anything that could be transferred to anybody, so we are definitely doing what we can during this time, but we are also going to be following everything Alberta Health and Safety recommends.”

Over at Diva Nails and Spa.

“Everyday when clients come in we still have to wash our hands when we touch them, right even clients they still have to wash their hands we still do cleanings and sterilize daily,” said salon owner Amy Le.

But with school closed and a ban on large gatherings of 50 people or more the beauty industry is bracing for another blow with the possible cancellations of graduation and bridal ceremonies.

“This is a huge, huge, thing for salons and spas with makeup and grad hair, so that’s going to be a massive reduction in income,” said Engel

“Even just bridal, it’s cancelling a lot of destination weddings so I’m assuming its going to be the same with weddings here people don’t want to be apart of large group gatherings so we are probably going to expect quiet a few cancellations for that.”

This, as an industry focused on making people feel good on the outside, anticipates the futures as people are stuck inside.