Back to business with the NHBF: coping with local lockdowns

Bookmark this post to keep up to date with lockdown news across the four nations.

Please note: rules can vary across the country when lockdowns are imposed. If you have specific questions about your particular area, please contact your local authority. You can find your local authority on the government website. You can also email the Department of Health and Social Care with any queries about local lockdowns: TTDHSCexternalaffairs@dhsc.gov.uk

Find out what financial support is available across the four nations.

This blog post covers: 

• What is a local lockdown?
• Lockdowns: England
• Lockdowns: Wales
• Lockdowns: Scotland
• Lockdowns: Northern Ireland
• NHBF #DoItRight campaign
• If your salon or barbershop is told to close
• Informing your staff
• Telling staff to take annual leave
• Laying off staff or reducing hours
• Keep your clients informed
• Closing down safely
• Business insurance
• Chair, space and room renters
• More information

What is a local lockdown? 

A local lockdown applies to a specific area where measures are imposed to control a local spike in coronavirus infections. A number of different measures can be imposed, including one or all of the following:

• Certain shops and venues are closed.
• Public events are cancelled.
• People are asked not to travel into the area.
• Residents are asked not to travel outside the area or to city centres.
• Visiting between households is restricted.
• The number of people who can gather together indoors or outdoors is restricted.
• Hospital and care home visits are restricted. 

Lockdowns: England 

 

On 18 July, the government gave new powers to local authorities in England enabling them to close individual premises and public places and to restrict events. Previously, they had to apply for a court order. Local authorities must review their decisions every seven days. These powers are in place until 17 January 2021. 

The health secretary can close and restrict access to individual premises under the Coronavirus Act 2020. 

The government can put in place a local lockdown in England under the Public Health Act 1984. 

Lockdowns: Wales 

 

The Welsh Government is advising hair and beauty businesses to check back often for the latest guidance on providing close contact services as this will be kept under review. You can also read the government’s Q&As on close contact services.

There are now four alert levels in Wales:

• Alert level one (low-risk) – this represents the closest to normality we are likely to have before the summer and the widespread take-up of vaccinations.

• Alert level two (medium-risk) – additional, targeted controls are put in place to maintain infection rates at lower levels. These may be complemented by more targeted local restrictions to manage specific incidents and outbreaks.

• Alert level three (high-risk) – this is the strictest package of restrictions, short of a firebreak or lockdown. Wales is currently at this alert level: close contact services remain open.

• Alert level four (very high risk) – restrictions at this level are equivalent to a lockdown and reflect the seriousness of the situation. At this level, close contact services must close.

Download a pdf from the Welsh Government website which clearly sets out what is allowed at each level.

Lockdowns: Scotland 

 

Lockdowns in Northern Ireland 

Northern Ireland is under lockdown. Close contact businesses must close (including mobile). The current regulations are in place until 1 April 2021, but will be reviewed on 18 March 2021.

 Find out more on the Northern Ireland Executive website.

Please note:

• Those with a genuine medical need will still be able to access specific hair and beauty services by appointment only, but must provide the appropriate medical records.
• Make-up artists and hair & beauty practitioners working for film and TV will still be able to operate.
• Click and collect is banned for non-essential businesses forced to close: this includes hair and beauty businesses.
• Financial packages for the six-week period are expected to be announced shortly. 

Find out more on the Northern Ireland Executive website. 

NHBF #DoItRight campaign

It’s vital for salons and barbershops to guard against new lockdowns being imposed.  

Salons and barbershops must continue to follow the relevant guidelines to help reassure and protect both staff and clients. This means using the correct PPE and carrying out regular cleaning and sanitising, especially between clients. Find out more. 

Says NHBF chief executive Hilary Hall: “By keeping to the rules, you will reduce the risk of local lockdowns and further closures. In addition, bear in mind that if you don’t keep to the guidelines, you may be breaching health & safety law which can lead to fines or even prison.”

#DoItRight campaign

In response to government warnings that it may close the hair and beauty sector again if safety guidelines are ignored, the NHBF has launched a #DoItRight campaign to encourage everyone in the industry to stick to the rules. 

If your salon or barbershop is told to close 

You may be instructed to close your salon or barbershop again if a local lockdown is imposed.

Find out what financial support is available across the four nations for your business, your employees and self-employed chair/space/room renters.

Inform your staff 

Let your staff know as soon as possible how the local lockdown will affect your salon or barbershop. For example, will you have to close again? Will you have to stop offering certain services and treatments? 

Make sure you and your staff are clear about what’s happening and what needs to be done. 

Can I tell my employees to take paid annual leave?  

You can tell your employees when to take annual leave, but you must give them twice as much notice as the amount of leave you want them to take. NHBF Members can call our membership team on 01234 831965 or our free 24/7 legal helpline to make sure your calculations are correct.  

Can I lay off staff or reduce hours? 

Always take legal advice if you need to lay off staff or reduce their working hours. 

Employees who are laid off or asked to work reduced hours will be entitled to full pay unless their employment contract says they don’t have to be paid or can be paid less for hours that aren’t worked. 

There is no limit on the length of time your employees can be laid off or asked to work fewer hours. However, employees can apply for redundancy and redundancy pay if they have been laid off for four weeks in a row or six weeks in a 13-week period.

You must get your employee’s agreement if you want to change the number of hours they work on a permanent basis. 

Inform your clients 

If you need to cancel appointments, let your clients know as soon as possible. 

Explain that you will be in contact again as soon as you can re-book. 

Close down safely 

The Metropolitan Police have issued some guidelines including the following:

• Test your alarm, ensure it is monitored and fully operational
• Identify any vulnerable areas. Rectify these. Ensure security gates, bollards and fire
  exit doors have been secured prior to closure of the premises.
• Make sure you have a list of key holders who can be contacted in times of emergency.
  Ensure your contact details for staff are up to date.
• Consider moving high value items into secured stockrooms and out of view.
• Ensure keys to the premises are not left inside and are instead with
  dedicated key holders.
• Consider timer switches or ensure sufficient lighting is left on at the
  premises/surrounding area.
• Ensure there are no combustible materials left near the building such as
  packaging - consider the risk of arson.
• Review your CCTV to confirm it is working, provides good quality images and is
  positioned to cover as much of your premises as possible. You may wish to
  consider a mobile phone app that allows connectivity and a vocal capacity to engage
  with any intruder.
• External shutters are recommended but some buildings may be subject to planning
  approval before installation
• Laminated glass or security film can be applied to existing glass to make it more
  resistant to a physical assault. Shutters and grilles (subject to planning regulations may
  also be a consideration).
• Fogging devices that activate as a result of an intruder activation may also be
  beneficial-you can’t steal what you can’t see.
• Avoid legionella by regularly flushing through your taps and water outlets if this is possible while complying with the government's current lockdown rules. Find out more on the Legionella Control website.

Will my business insurance cover me for losses caused by the lockdown?  

Check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered.  However, very few businesses have the specific cover that would potentially enable them to claim for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Read detailed information about this provided by the Association of British Insurers. 

Do my chair/space/room renters have to pay rent if we close again? 

Find detailed information about this here. 

More information 

• See our regular updates
• Read our four nations FAQs.
• Read our FAQs on the government’s safe reopening guidelines.
• Download our free reopening guide for salons and barbershops. Non-members will need to create a free account.
• NHBF Members can download an information poster, email and social media message for clients.
• Members can call our membership team, Monday-Friday, 9-5, on 01234 831965. Please be patient due to the extremely high level of calls we are currently getting.
• For legal advice, Members can login to get our 24/7 legal helpline number. Again, please be patient. The legal team is also dealing with a huge number of calls.