Underground hairdressers & stylists spring up across UK as Brits face six months without barbers & salons in lockdown
UNDERGROUND hairdressers and stylists have sprung up across the UK as Brits face six months of being unable to get a haircut.
In the coronavirus lockdown salons and barbers have closed down – but many are finding ways to work around the restrictions.
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social media and classified ad sites show beauty and hair related businesses are still running privately.
Fees and appointments can be negotiated as many don’t stick to the strict lockdown rules.
One ad for a mobile eyelash extension appointment in London claimed all sessions would be “100% clean”, with all equipment cleaned in front of the customer.
And in Manchester one company is still offering lip fillers and a £400 fat-dissolving treatment.
Hannah Sutton, 19, from Bolton, has shut down her hairdressing services but says she still gets 40 messages a day from eager customers.
Many key workers still in the public eye or having to look more presentable than the rest of the work from home population are still seeking out a fringe trim, or roots touch-up.
One woman happy to provide that is Dee Greenwood – who specialises in home beauty care.
She said last week she was still going to clients’ homes but taking all possible precautions – by wearing a mask and gloves during treatments.
It comes as:
- Health secretary says it’s still too early too lift lockdown
- The UK removes China’s figures from official statistics over coverup claims
- Travellers should get tests 48 hours before they fly, says Gatwick boss – with anyone touching down in the UK quarantined for two weeks
- Shops could ban couples and shut down changing rooms
She said: “One of my clients is an airline pilot and I’ve got people working in the NHS.
“[They are] normal, level- headed women [but] they still need certain things done — it’s essential maintenance in their book.”
It comes after we revealed ministers fear hairdressers will have to remain shut for six more months, turning Britain into a nation of long-haired scruffs.
Government scientists working on the coronavirus lockdown have found no safe way for salons to reopen.
The experts think it is impossible to carry out haircuts without increasing the risk of spreading the virus.
Senior goverment figures expect that leaves them with no choice but to order them to remain shut for as long as epidemic is still going, which is projected to be throughout the summer.
Beauticians and nail salons are also expected to be issued with the same grim verdict to stay closed.
Brits have been unable to get a professional haircut for a month now, ever since hairdressers were ordered to close by Boris Johnson in late March.
Many have resorted to asking their relatives for a DIY snip, or simply letting their locks grow long.
One senior government insider warned: “People’s hair is going to get pretty long.
“We’re all going to end up looking like Captain Caveman by the end of this”.
It comes as coronavirus deaths in the UK yesterday passed the government’s best-case scenario of up to 20,000 victims after 711 more people died in England.
The grim milestone was given back in March as a benchmark for Britain “doing very well” in the pandemic.
The number means 18,084 people have now died in England from Covid-19 – and pushes the UK deaths to 20,217.
In March, Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England medical director, gave the grisly best case scenario of up to 20,000 deaths as he urged Brits to follow social distancing guidelines.
NEW TESTS, NEW HOPE?
It was revealed last night the Government has ordered 50million new coronavirus immunity tests that are hoped to be a “game-changing” development in the fight against the pandemic.
It is hoped the breakthrough by a team of British scientists will allow people to work out if they are safe from the virus when the pinprick tests are rolled out in June.
Brits will be able to take the test and work out if they are allowed to return to socialising and working as they did before the coronavirus lockdown, reports the .
The tests are expected to cost £10 and will require a blood sample. But the new test announcement comes just one day the World Health Organisation (WHO) said there was no evidence having coronavirus made you immune to a second dose.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is heading back to work on Monday after overcoming his own life or death battle with coronavirus.
He is said to be “raring to go” and is “tightening his grip”, with an insider saying adding: “You are going to see much greater clarity, energy and purpose now.”
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We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
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Ministers are fearing Britain is beginning to crack under lockdown, with reports of increases in traffic and footfall during the hot weather.
Government officials are reportedly looking at easing strict “stay at home” rules in favour of creating groups of people known as “clusters” or “bubbles”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel warned today that if people continue to flout lockdown measures, rules will be made stricter.