Do You Have to Wear a Mask in Hairdressers UK? Safety Measures for Hair Salons in the UK

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All staff at hairdressers should have their mask or covering on at all times.

PPE Requirements

  • Wear gloves, masks, and gowns.
  • Offer only "short and basic" services to reduce time in chairs.
  • Face mask and visor are strongly encouraged.
  • Hairdressers must wear a protective visor that extends below their chin.
  • Scotland’s rules mandate face coverings during treatment.
  • In England, face coverings are mandatory in personal care settings from 8 August.
  • In Wales, the wearing of face masks is mandatory.
  • Customers can choose to wear a face covering if they wish, except in Scotland where it is mandatory.

Updated Guidance

  • Masks and visors help protect from respiratory droplets.
  • The current guidance will be reviewed with changing infection rates.
  • Screens are recommended to create a barrier between workstations.
  • In Scotland, customers must wear a face covering by law.
  • SAGE recommends that UK guidance should mandate the wearing of face coverings for hairdressers.

Masks and face coverings will no longer be mandatory in England from Thursday 27 January. However, close contact service guidance, including hair salons, is yet to be updated. The ‘Plan B’ restrictions will be lifted as per Boris Johnson’s announcement.

Face masks will be compulsory by law in hairdressers, banks, and post offices from tomorrow to combat the Omicron variant. Barbers, hair salons, tattoo and piercing studios, and other personal care services must enforce face covering rules. The various nations within the UK have differing rules on mask usage in hair salons and beauty parlors.

Guidance on Masks for Haircut Clients

When wearing a mask during a haircut, ensure it’s snugly fitting. Both the stylist and client should be masked, even if vaccinated, to ensure maximum safety. Some salons may choose to continue pandemic protocols longer for added precaution.

Personal Protective Equipment for Close Contact Services

  • A face mask (type 2 surgical) is now required for staff, in addition to a clear visor.
  • The mask needs to cover both the nose and mouth effectively.
  • PPE is essential for both the hairdresser and the client.

Note: If getting a haircut at home, both barber and client must wear masks, and a beard trim may not be possible.

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