Coronavirus checklist for salons and close contact services

The Scottish Government has created a checklist for salons and close contact services (Word, 47KB). This document can be used as part of a risk assessment to help these businesses prepare to reopen or continue to operate safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Close contact services include hairdressers, barber shops, beauty and nail bars, spa and wellness businesses, dress fitters and other businesses where close contact is required.

From Monday 5 April 2021, hairdressers and barber shops in Scotland can reopen for appointments.

Other close contact services are expected to be allowed to open from 26 April, subject to review.

The checklist is in Word doc form. It is 7 pages long and covers the following: 

• premises layout, including ventilation
• physical distancing and signage
• adapting services
• staff and customer safety
• hygiene and cleaning
• customer and staff support

It also has a section for mobile close contact services, where practitioners work in a client/customer's own premises or home.

This is a free service.

This checklist is for businesses/individuals providing close contact services.

Examples include:

• hairdressing and barber services
• beauty and nail services (including make-up services)
• hair removal services
• tattoo, piercing and body modification services
• fashion design, dress-fitting and tailoring services
• indoor portrait photography and art services
• massage therapies
• complementary and alternative medicine services requiring physical contact or close physical proximity between persons, but not osteopathy and chiropractic services
• spa and wellness services
• other services or procedures which require physical contact or close physical proximity between a provider and a customer and are not ancillary to medical, health, or social care services

Employers have a legal responsibility to conduct a workplace risk assessment. They must put in place measures to reduce the risk of transmission for all staff, customers/clients and others who may be at risk.

Employers also have important duties under equalities legislation, and should make reasonable adjustments to support workers with disabilities.

You can download the checklist (Word, 47KB) or visit the Scottish government website to read the full guidance.