Level two is here for NZ regions outside of Auckland from midnight Tuesday 7th September.
“What do I do at level 2 again,” you find yourself asking?
Here is our comprehensive guide for salons operating at alert level two, including some of the enhancements recently annouced (We are all trained in cleanliness and sanitization, but sometimes a checklist helps!)
Note: this is only a guide and does not override government advice. Please regularly review guidance on the Ministry of Health (MOH) website: www.health.govt.nz
At Alert Level 2 businesses need to ensure that they meet public health requirements, meaning the business should:
- Display your QR Code prominently (we reccomend placing one at your front door as well as reception) – it is mandatory for your clients to either scan in or fill in a contact tracing record. Basically you need to record everyone who you interact with on your premises
- Masks should be worn by both therapist and customer throughout treatments
- Physical distancing rules mean workers must keep 1 metre apart and retail customers 2 metres apart
- Enable good hygiene practices
- Disinfect surfaces in between customers
- Make sure workers wear a face covering
Booking Appointments
If possible, complete online consultation forms prior to appointment (eg: Timely salon software has virtual form options) – this may include online video consultation/ electronic form to complete and email back, or print off and bring in.
Ask your client if they:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in contact with someone who has – in the last 14 days?
- Have they been tested for COVID-19 and are currently awaiting results?
- Have any of the following symptoms: fever, dry cough, headaches, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell?
- Are over 70 years of age then pre-screening must be completed to check the viability of treatment/ service.
- Service should be declined/rescheduled for any client with positive responses and or arriving showing symptoms of illness.
- Are in the high-risk category or immediate contacts in their bubble – i.e. have pre-existing medical conditions/ immunocompromised?
If yes to any of the above, they will need to reschedule their appointment.
Client Arrival
- Clients should be requested to wait in their car or outside the clinic/workplace until contacted
- Receptionist/ member of staff to contact via text/ or hand gesture/signal to enter clinic
- Only the client to enter the workplace (unless not possible)
- Ensure client appointments are staggered to limit the number of people in reception area
- This may mean only one person depending on workplace so that a 1m social distance is maintained by all in the reception area
- Clients to sanitise/wash hands on arrival and be advised on PPE requirements
- Any drinks must be served in a disposable cup and disposed of immediately after use
- Recommend they can bring a drink bottle with them, and advise that they are able to bring a mask with them
- No magazines in the reception area
- Contactless transaction payments only. Sanitise payment machines after use
- Appointments/ rebooking electronically – avoid cards/ paper prescription sheets
Reception / Common Areas
- Hard surfaces and high touch areas must be wiped down beforehand and after each client – includes door handles, reception desk, EFTPOS machine, light switches, toilet flush handles, taps, hand cleanser containers/ pump
- Retail product testers to be handled by staff. Containers to be disinfected after each use – disposable applicators used if required. Product applied to the hands rather than face
- Use of skincare sample packets recommended
- Staff may dispense make-up onto a disposable or disinfectable tray; disposable spatula; disposable applicator; for client to try
- Any services performed in retail/common area – e.g. manicure/ lash/brow must follow all sanitisation procedures. Can only be performed where 1m social distancing from anyone entering premises can be exercised. Products used must be disinfected and stored away in cabinet/similar
Treatment Room
- Treatment table/couch to be covered with a clean towel, sheet or disposable paper for each client. Ideally biodegradable coverings sourced where possible (but in the name of hygeine – whatever you can get 😀)
- Any blankets/coverings used must be clean for each client
- Any used linen, including blankets/coverings to be placed in a closed container ready to be laundered
- Used disposable paper placed in double-lined, closeable rubbish bin
- Treatment table/couch to be sprayed with disinfectant after each client (we love our re-useable sanitizable bed covers)
- All surfaces/ high touch areas, product containers to be sanitised after each client with a product like Mediwipes
- Extra time will be required to complete sanitisation and set-up practices
Tools/Equipment/Supplies
- Disposable items should be used where possible
- Non-disposable items to be cleaned with warm water and soap before disinfecting. Completely immerse for minimum 30 mins in a registered bactericidal, anti-fungal, virucidal disinfectant as per guidelines. Follow heat sterilisation – e.g. autoclave, glass bead steriliser as required. When using glass bead steriliser, ensure 2-step process to ensure hand-held portion of item also sterilised. Store items in UV cabinet or closed container
- Disinfectant solution used for immersion should be changed daily
- Electrical equipment must be wiped/sprayed with an appropriate disinfectant before/after each use
- Used and clean items must be kept separate, covered, in clearly marked containers
- All used single-use disposable items must be placed in a double-lined lidded bin or appropriate sharps/bio-hazard bin
- New consumables, single-use disposable items must be stored in a clean covered container
- No tools/equipment/items to be carried in uniform pockets
- Products to be decanted prior to treatment to avoid cross-contamination
- Cotton wool/cotton buds/tissues/ gauze etc. to be placed in a suitable container for each client – to dispose of all items whether used or not – to avoid cross-contamination
Staff Hygiene
- Staff feeling unwell to inform the manager and remain at home. Follow Government directive to be tested against COVID-19
- Staff to change into their uniform once at work and not wear clothes they have worn outside to perform treatments. Uniforms should be laundered daily. Personal items should be stored in a locker/disposable bag
- A clean, dry, correctly fitted face mask should be worn as per normal treatment protocols. It is suggested a mask is worn for additional hygiene measures. If wet/soiled, the mask must be disposed into lidded waste bin
- Hands must be washed thoroughly before and after client contact, and after handling soiled tools or contacting surfaces
- Hand sanitiser to be provided at all work-stations
- Gloves should be worn
- Gloves to be changed before and after client contact, and after handling soiled tools and hard surfaces
- Staffroom seating/tables should allow for 1m physical distancing consider staggering breaks and shift starts times
- Staff crockery/utensils should be marked for own use/ disposable and stored in own container
These protocols are based on those issued by the Government, New Zealand Beauty Association and our own ‘know-how’. This is just a guide. You know your business best, so get out there and slay!