By Sheldon Spackman

Answers Needed

Hair stylists want guidance from the province before reopening

May 7, 2020 | 5:23 PM

Local hair stylists are joining their colleagues across the province in saying the government’s plan to allow personal services such as hairstyling and barbershops to reopen as early as May 14 just doesn’t cut it.

Dana Rondeau, a home-based salon owner and stylist in Red Deer, says a lack of communication from the government has led to a lot of unanswered questions.

“We have no actual concrete information on what PPE we’re going to need, it’s all very basic,” she says. “Anything that we can find, it just says use masks at your discretion. There’s not actually a hard, fast line as to how we’re supposed to safely social distance when I’m in your face doing your hair.”

Rondeau, who’s operated her business in Red Deer for the past 11 years, says questions over whether blow drying spreads COVID-19, what cleaning products can be used, and many other questions remain with potential opening dates only a week or so away.

“Are our normal safety protocols OK? Do we need to amp it up? Does it have to be medical grade?” she wonders. “There’s nothing that’s come out as a concrete answer.”

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Rondeau says she’s still waiting to secure masks before deciding when to reopen.

“Rumors are circulating that we may need face shields, and if that’s the case people will have to start sourcing things like that,” she exclaims. “I’ve already spent $400 upping sanitation, and cleaning supplies and laundry – things like that, but it’s not including masks that will be needed and whatever other guidelines may or may not come down.”

Nicki Monilaws, a self-employed hair stylist at The Mane Attraction in Red Deer, says clear standards and protocols need to be shared by government before their industry can reopen safely.

“I too would love to get back to work. But personally, I feel it would be irresponsible for me to get back behind the chair on May 14 until I have more guidance, and until I have more standards from the government,” she remarks. “I don’t hold it against anybody else who’s ready to just jump right in on the 14th, but I do not foresee myself going back to work until June 1.”

In the meantime, Monilaws says it’s important for everyone to remain patient.

“Everyone in the industry is frustrated, we felt like (the government) released the news before consulting anybody in our industry, and we have a lot of questions,” adds Monilaws. “I want to be able to go back to work, but it needs to be safe. I feel like this was released too quickly.”

Lane Tomalty, owner of Copper Lane Hair Studio in Red Deer and Lacombe, says the industry is working together to try and come up with its own policies and procedures, but notes she doesn’t anticipate opening her two locations next week.

“We’ve had eight weeks of appointments that we’ve had to cancel, so we have over 1,300 people that are waiting to get back in,” says Tomalty. “I think it’s just really important to be considerate, be kind, and be patient. We’re doing the best that we can and we just want to make sure that the health of our team, as well as our guests and the community is at the forefront.”

On Thursday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, noted they are working on additional risk mitigation information for barbers and hair stylists.

“I would also like to remind these businesses there is no obligation for a business to open when Stage 1 begins,” she explained. “Businesses that feel they need more time to ensure the safety of their patrons or their staff should take the time they need to be prepared and have additional health and safety protocols in place for cleaning and physical distancing. We are working on guidance specific to this sector, and we anticipate it will be completed soon.”

Hinshaw says the approach Alberta is taking is similar to other jurisdictions across Canada and in Europe.