French hairdressers to reopen from May 11th – but with strict rules

Phrase begins phase 1 of lifting lockdown on May 11th, and among the workplaces that are allowed to reopen are hairdressers.

The government's directive is that businesses can reopen, but they must put in place all measures possible to ensure that social distancing and hygiene gestures are respected.

IN DETAIL This is the plan for life after lockdown in France

In order to preserve social distancing and keep both staff and clients safe, the system for getting a trim will be rather different to normal.

After May 11th

May 11th falls on a Monday, when many salons are closed. Hairdresser Franck Provost, president of the hairdressers organisation Conseil National des Entreprises de coiffure suggested that many salons will use the next few days to train their staff in the new rules.

He told RTL radio: “We have to train the staff to disinfect the equipment, which we were already doing, in each place. All this has to be prepared and organised. Hopefully, we should be good for the 11th.”

Appointments only

It's common for hairdressers in France to operate sans rendez-vous or on a walk-in basis.

But when a recent survey showed that 59 percent of French people want to visit a salon after lockdown ends, there could be something of a rush.

To keep crowds to a minimum, hairdressers will only accept people who have booked in advance, either online or on the phone.

Compulsory masks

The hairdresser or barber must wear a mask, but they will also be compulsory for customers and you must bring your own – hairdressers will not be in a position to distribute masks.

Single-use gowns

The fabric gowns that hairdressers wrap around their clients must either be washed after every use or replaced with single-use paper or plastic ones.

Hairdressers must also ensure than customers are at least one metre apart.

Some salons are also considering offering only short appointments – so no colours or perms – at first in order to limit contact time.