KOLKATA: Salon and parlour owners in the city heaved a sigh of relief after the state government allowed them to operate with 50% seating capacity till 10pm from Saturday onwards.
This move, they feel, will also help beauticians who have been finding it difficult to make ends meet with the unexpected closure. The notification, however, has no mention on reopening of spas.
Beautician Sharmila Singh Flora, who has been running a parlour since 1992, pointed out that this move will help many who were dealing with hairfall issues after Covid.
“They have been undergoing treatment and were at a loss when the parlours were suddenly shut. They need to visit the parlours regularly. Pedicure is much in demand during winters. This notification will really affect our clients as well as the workers at salons whose families run on what they earn if the parlours are kept open,” she said.
According to Anjali Sambtani, owner of Juice Salon that has two branches in Alipore and Rowland Row, haircuts are currently in high demand. “I am happy that the state government has issued a fresh notification. Our staff is vaccinated and we have been following all the Covid health protocols. To ensure that our parlours operate with 50% capacity, we will work only on appointments,” she said.
With the wedding season on, the need for reopening salons was acute. Makeup artist Aniruddha Chakladar insists that a bride needs to visit a parlour regularly before a wedding. “Even those attending weddings need to go to parlours. If weddings are on, salons have to be kept open too,” Chakladar said.
