Is it safe to cut hair in a salon during the covid pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic does pose a number of risks for every occupation, including barbers and hairdressers in salons. As a result, most countries, especially in Indonesia, closed their salons in several areas with a high number of cases. Is it safe to get a haircut at the salon again during COVID-19?

Haircut at the salon during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on people's daily activities. From going to the office to things that seem trivial like getting a haircut at the barber or salon.

Those of you who are accustomed to having long hair may not be a problem, but not for those with short haircuts. The habit of cutting hair at the salon finally stopped considering the COVID-19 pandemic made everything change.

As time goes by, several salons have started to reopen. However, the question for some people is is it safe to go back to the salon or barbershop in the midst of this pandemic?

According to dr. Catherine Troisi, PhD, infectious disease epidemiologist at UT Health, a haircut at a salon might not be categorized as an urgent need. The point is, just because you can do it doesn't mean you have to. In fact, you can do your own haircut without the need for help from others.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

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There are still many things that are not known about the COVID-19 disease. Starting from the symptoms that are increasingly diverse for each individual to the level of risk. Getting haircut at a salon during the COVID-19 pandemic will certainly pose risks for employees and customers.

Therefore, recognizing the risks faced and what needs to be prepared when visiting a salon in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is important.

Risks of cutting hair at a salon during COVID-19

In fact, the biggest challenge of getting a haircut at a salon during the COVID-19 pandemic hinges on how the viral infection is spread. The spread of COVID-19 can occur through close contact with an infected person, either through droplet (saliva splash) or touch the surface that was splashed.

Normally, salon or barber employees do their jobs quite closely, especially when dyeing, cutting, and styling customers' hair. This means that the biggest risk when going to a salon in the midst of this pandemic is to have close contact with employees or other customers.

Meanwhile, the symptoms of COVID-19 are almost the same as those of other diseases. In fact, not a few people infected with a virus called SARS-CoV-2 do not show any symptoms, aka asymptomatic.

Another risk of visiting a salon while this outbreak is still in progress is touching contaminated surfaces or objects, such as salon chairs and tools. The reason is, these items are shared and no one knows whether the person before you was positive for COVID-19 or not.

Tips to prevent transmission of COVID-19 when going to a salon

If you feel that getting a haircut at a salon is an urgent need in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, don't forget to always make efforts to prevent transmission. Starting from washing hands, keeping a distance from employees and other customers, to still wearing masks.

One of the countries that has prepared a protocol when the salon reopens is the United States, especially in California. The government in the region issues guidelines that need to be applied by the community, both customers and salon employees.

Here are some things to pay attention to when visiting a salon or barber in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Make an appointment before visiting

One of the efforts to reduce the risk of transmission when getting a haircut at a salon in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is to make an appointment before visiting. Generally, this service has been provided in several salons or barbershop so that customers do not have to wait long there.

In fact, the rules in the protocol also ask customers to call when they arrive. This way, you can wait in the car or in the space provided outside the room so that the number of visitors inside the salon does not accumulate.

2. Ask the salon regarding the new policy

Apart from calling to make an appointment, don't forget to ask the salon before getting a haircut regarding new policies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting from the protocol for cleaning and disinfecting salon tools and furniture to objects that will be touched frequently, such as door handles and counters. This may indirectly remind salon employees to frequently clean surfaces that are prone to contamination.

Also ask if all employees in the salon use masks and what are the guidelines physical distancing at work applied.

3. Keep using a mask

The appeal to use a mask while traveling also applies when you get a haircut at a salon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using a mask may not make you comfortable, especially when cutting your hair because there is a concern that strands of hair might get into it. However, masks have been proven effective in reducing the risk of transmitting the virus.

Apart from wearing a mask, don't forget to make efforts to prevent other infections, such as:

• wash your hands for 20 seconds
• maintain a distance of 2-3 meters from employees and other customers
• reduce contact with surfaces that are at risk of contamination
• avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth before washing hands

In the end, the decision to visit a salon for a haircut in the midst of COVID-19 is yours. If it is an urgent need, it may be okay as long as it continues to implement prevention efforts. However, there are times when a haircut can be done alone or you can still wait for the condition to improve.