Hairdressers and barber shops were the next set of businesses to come out of lockdown, being allowed to open their doors on June 1 under numerous COVID-19 measures.

Trish Racine, owner of . . .

Studio Glam in Shawville, said shetakes sanitation measures with the tools they use, as well, using multi-purpose disinfectant sprays that are provided to them by their hair store for chairs, sinks and door handles.

“We try and keep our doors closed in between the clients’ appointments and we’re all wearing masks,” said Racine. “I supply the clients with a mask.”

Racine said it is difficult for her to adapt to wearing a mask, since it heats up when she uses the blow dryer.

Her co-worker, Sam Clarke, and her are the only ones touching the door handles, greeting customers in and providing them with hand sanitizer and a mask right away. The waiting room is also currently off-limits.

“I’m taking 15 minutes between each client to take proper measures and keep the salon clean,” said Racine.“It’s new routines we’re getting used to. It’s quite challenging.”

Clients must book appointments prior to showing up and the door is locked when they are taken care of, so there are no walk-ins.

Regulars and those with previously booked appointments that were cancelled during quarantine have been booked in first after the reopening.

“They are quite happy to see us,” said Racine. “They are quite pleased to see that we are taking proper measurements to ensure everyone’s health.”

Payton Ringrose, the owner of a Shawville barber shop, said it’s been very busy so far and he could not be happier, since he’s been sitting around during the isolation period and now he’s found something to do.

Single-use capes that Ringrose purchased have replaced the traditional ones and, thus, are discarded after every customer.

“Now I’m going through 20 or so a day,” said Ringrose.

Ringrose uses his own disinfecting materials and he wears a mask with a face shield when working with customers.

“We have to disinfect pretty much the entire shop between each customer,” said Ringrose.

“The customers don’t have to wear a mask, unless they feel more comfortable with it,” said Ringrose.

He is not doing hot towel shaves for the time being, since the straight razor work requires close contact and the reuse of certain equipment, which Ringrose is not comfortable with.

Service is also provided by appointment only now, where customers can book by phone or on the shop’s social media page. When customers walk in, Ringrose lets them know the circumstances.

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