17 August 2020

This update covers:

  • Close contact services in the highest risk zone now open in England.
  • New PPE requirements for stylists, therapists and barbers in England.
  • Second self-employed grant scheme now open.

Close contact services in the highest risk zone now open in England

Close contact services in the highest risk zone can now be offered in England. The highest risk zone is the area in front of the face where splashes and droplets from the nose and mouth may be present. See below for updated guidance on the PPE that must be worn for all services and treatments in salons and barbershops.

New PPE requirements for stylists, therapists and barbers in England

These requirements have now been updated by the government.

  • Stylists, therapists and barbers should wear a clear visor and a Type II face mask. Type II face masks are medical face masks made up of a protective three-ply construction. This PPE must be worn for all services and treatments in salons and barbershops, not just those carried out in the highest-risk zone.
  • The Type II face mask does not need to be changed between clients but must be changed if it is removed to eat or drink, or becomes moist, damaged or difficult to breathe through.
  • From 8 August, face coverings were made mandatory for clients visiting nail, beauty, and hair salons; barbers; massage parlours; tattoo and piercing parlours. Face coverings should not be removed unless essential for a particular treatment – for example, on the face area covered by the mask.
  • If you are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service because you have been in contact with an infected person, you will still have to self-isolate even if you were wearing a Type II face mask and a visor.
  • What if the stylist, therapist or barber is unwilling or unable to wear a face mask due, for example, to a medical condition? We are currently seeking urgent clarification from the government about this.

Read the government’s updated guidance for close contact services. The guidance explains in detail the new requirements for England including how to put on a Type II face mask and use it safely.

This does not apply to areas in local lockdown. Please note: rules 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

We are currently checking with the Scottish and Welsh governments if they have any plans to amend their PPE requirements. Northern Ireland currently uses the same guidelines as England. Find out more about current guidelines across the four nations.

Second self-employment grant scheme now open

You can make a claim for the second and final self-employment grant even if you didn’t make a claim for the first grant. You can claim if your business was adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020.

You must claim before 19 October 2020. Find out more and make you claim on the government website.

The first self-employment grant is now closed.

See all updates