Bad hair days will last for a bit longer! Britons despair as it's revealed hairdressers WON'T open until at least July 4
- Dominic Raab said salons will reopen during phase three of restrictions lifting
- The Foreign Secretary confirmed that this would be from July 4 'at the earliest'
- Many customers have taken to social media to show off their overgrown barnets
Britons have despaired over their scruffy hair as the government revealed salons and barbers will be closed for at least another month.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed hairdressers will reopen during phase three of the lifting of lockdown restrictions from July 4 at the earliest.
It is a major blow for business owners and customers, with many of the latter taking to social media to show off their overgrown barnets.
Nurse Rebecca Angel from Fleetwood, Lancashire, posted: 'My hair needed cutting BEFORE lockdown. Definitely in need of a chop now! How do I do this?!'
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured today) confirmed hairdressers will reopen during phase three of the lifting of lockdown restrictions from July 4 at the earliest
Mr Raab told Sky's Breakfast: 'From 4 July, at the earliest, we'll look at other sectors and that will include hospitality, but it will also include personal care and people like hairdressers.'
The government's blueprint for lifting restrictions says hairdressers may need to wear masks and enforce social distancing to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.
It says: 'Many measures require the development of new safety guidelines that set out how each type of physical space can be adapted to operate safely.'
It is expected barbers and salons will only work at 50 per cent capacity so staff can keep customers at least two metres apart.
Employees may also have to work in staggered shifts so they do not come into contact with each other at work.
The government's blueprint for lifting restrictions says hairdressers may need to wear masks and enforce social distancing to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 (file photo)
Desperate Britons have shared hilarious photographs of their uncut hair on social media as the wait for a trim continues.
Nurse Rebecca Angel from Fleetwood, Lancashire, posted: 'My hair needed cutting BEFORE lockdown. Definitely in need of a chop now! How do I do this?!'
One woman posted: 'A year ago my hair was at chin level. It's now below my shoulders.
'My travel straighteners have arrived so going to practise to see if they make a difference. I'm useless with my hair but lockdown has seen me doing all sorts with it.'
Another woman wrote: 'Lockdown hair status: Silver Elvis.'
And one added: 'I am sporting lockdown hair starting to resemnle Captain Caveman. Like your new do!'
Some men also commented on their wavy locks, with one posting: 'Lockdown hair update. Getting closer to '93.'
And another wrote: 'Lockdown hair: 50% Kermode, 35% Ice Hockey mullet, 15 per cent Spector.'
Men and women alike complained about that lockdown hair on social media as they pray for hairdressers to reopen soon
The July date for reopening hairdressers is not set in stone and 'may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections', the government said.
But head of the Hair & Barber Council Keith Conniford thinks the date in just over a month will be met.
He told the Telegraph: 'There was always a consensus in the industry that we wanted to be open in June, and would be ready to do so, but we were put into phase three only on the basis of social distancing.
'The government felt our close contact of standing behind someone cutting hair was worse than someone at a counter serving in a shop.'
He hopes the government will issue broad ideas on how to reopen on July 4, rather than a strict rulebook.
He said he does not want them to implement tough guidelines for an 'industry they don't understand'.
Meanwhile some hairdressers have done virtual appointments for customers over Zoom, Facetime and YouTube to help them style their own hair.
Paul Phillips, from Chopp Hair in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, has been delivering products and then offering videos on how to use them.
He told the BBC: 'Most hairdressers say you should never colour your hair at home, and in normal times I'd agree.
'But lots of clients' mental health has been affected by the current situation, so sorting out grey roots and split ends makes them feel better.'
Salons have been shut across the country by the government due to the coronavirus pandemic, but many are finding ways to get around the restrictions
He is helping up to 26 people per day with their hair needs but makes sure it can be done by people without a technical skill set.
Earlier this month it was revealed some hairdressers were flouting the lockdown restrictions and performing illicit cuts.
Trading Standards opened an investigation after it emerged workers were posting adverts on classified websites including Gumtree and community app Nextdoor.
Hairdressers and stylists had been advertising 'mobile services' according to a report in the Sun.
But they insisted they were not guilty of any wrongdoing because they were wearing masks and gloves.
Some were advertising their skills at discount prices in a bid to drive business while claiming to have trained at 'award winning' Central London salons.
Salons are classed as non-essential shops by the government and have been closed since March 23 when lockdown restrictions came into place.
Find out who does the Queen's hair; I am sure she will share!
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