Changes to England's lockdown rules have now come into force following Boris Johnson’s speech to the nation on Sunday which outlined a road map for how restrictions would be lifted in the coming weeks.
The prime minister later clarified the guidelines by releasing a 60-page document titled Our Plan to Rebuild, which was published on Monday.
After nearly two months of telling the nation to stay at home, the government has announced that restrictions will begin to ease on things like travelling to work, exercise and meeting family and friends.
But does the outline mention anything about when nail and beauty salons might reopen?
When the nationwide lockdown was imposed on 23 March, beauty salons were among the first businesses to close their doors to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
However, the temporary closure has left many people wondering when they will be able to get regular beauty treatments again.
So just how long will we have to wait? Here’s everything you need to know.
When will nail and beauty salons reopen?
As part of the government’s Plan to Rebuild, some shops are expected to be allowed to reopen in England as part of the second phase, which will begin on 1 June at the earliest.
However, this does not include beauty salons, which are instead expected to reopen later in the summer.
Speaking to Sky News, first secretary Dominic Raab said that “personal care services” such as hair and beauty salons and barbershops in England will not be able to reopen until 4 July at the very earliest.
“Obviously the proximity [within salons]...is something where we just don't think we are ready yet, given where we are with the virus,” he said.
The government’s Covid-19 recovery strategy document reinforces this by highlighting the reopening of beauty salons as part of step three in its plan.
“It is likely that reopening indoor public spaces and leisure facilities (such as gyms and cinemas), premises whose core purpose is social interaction (such as nightclubs), venues that attract large crowds (like sports stadia), and personal care establishments where close contact is inherent (like beauty salons) may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections,” the document reads.
“The government's current planning assumption is that this step will be no earlier than 4 July, subject to the five tests justifying some or all of the measures below, and further detailed scientific advice, provided closer to the time, on how far we can go.”
The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has since released a statement saying it supports the government’s plans.
“Dominic Raab has said that hospitality and ‘personal care services’ such as hair and beauty salons and barbershops in England will not be able to reopen until 4 July at the earliest,” the statement reads.
"It is our view that this is the right course of action, as the safety of the people in our industry is paramount."
What about the rest of the UK?
The leaders of the four nations of the UK are choosing different ways to ease the coronavirus restrictions, with first ministers Nicola Sturgeon, Mark Drakeford and Arlene Foster all rejecting Mr Johnson’s new “stay alert” slogan.
Instead, they have opted to retain the original “stay at home” message, while lifting selected parts of the lockdown at their own pace. Currently, the devolved nations have not provided dates for when they expect non-essential businesses to reopen.
How will salons ensure staff and customer safety when they reopen?
When nail and beauty salons are allowed to open their doors, it is likely that a number of safety measures will have to be introduced to protect both staff and customers.
As part of its plans to ease lockdown, the government has said that any businesses which reopen will have to meet its new Covid-19 Secure guidelines.
“Many measures require the development of new safety guidelines that set out how each type of physical space can be adapted to operate safely,” the document states. “The government has been consulting relevant sectors, industry bodies, local authorities, trades unions, the Health and Safety Executive and Public Health England on their development and will release them this week.”
While details explaining what a Covid-secure workplace will look like are yet to be announced, the BBC has reported seeing a document which outlines procedures such as using physical screens and having employees use personal protective equipment when they are unable to remain two metres apart.
Can you do beauty treatments at home in the meantime?
You don't have to wait until the lockdown is lifted to start ramping up your beauty routine as there are many treatments that you can do yourself.
The Independent has a number of DIY beauty guides to help you with everything from mastering a gel manicure, to removing acrylic nails and keeping your brows in check.
