Mala McAlpin The latest advice, state by state (as of 1pm May 12).
Things are looking up in the world of beauty, spa and aesthetics, with Friday’s (May 8) 3-stage COVID-19 recovery plan sparking hope that we will return to work in what could be weeks instead of months. However, with each state following their own individual rollout stages, and repeated backflips on local government advice (such as last week’s NSW mobile beauty therapy debacle) there is still a lot of confusion out there. We’ve taken the liberty of summarising the latest industry do’s and don’ts per state, according to their respective government websites. Please note that all dates have been described as indicative only, and we have experienced first-hand how rapidly legislation can change (over the space of just hours!) We strictly recommend that businesses confirm all relevant information with their local authorities before making any decisions.
QLD
Queensland is instructing businesses to have a plan in place to manage COVID-19. It is recommended that this plan be put on display within a business as evidence that the business is ‘COVID SAFE’. For the industries that have been deemed as higher risk by the CHO (dining, beauty and nail salons) you must complete a mandatory checklist before opening. From May 16, beauticians and nail salons are permitted to open with a maximum of 10 people. Allowed beauty industry services are defined by the government as “Beauty therapy and nail salons” at this time. Currently, spray tans, saunas and other water-based treatments including hydrotherapy, steam rooms, vichy showers, as well as non-therapeutic massage, are not permitted. In the state’s recovery roadmap, spas and tattooing are projected to reopen, following a mandatory client registration and checklist, in stage 2 (from June 12).
Source: covid19.qld.gov.au
NSW
nsw.gov.au says regarding beauty and personal care, spas, nail salons, beauty salons, waxing salons and tanning salons, that they can only open to sell their products and gift vouchers. This covers any business premises, regardless of whether it operates in a retail outlet or in a private home. Any business providing mobile services must comply with all relevant laws, including work, health and safety and public health laws, as well as local council and planning requirements. Social distancing should be followed when visiting homes. (Editor’s note, May 13: We have seen e-mail correspondence from local councils and NSW Health advising any mobile beauty services except for hair services to be avoided. Please check with your local councils for the latest rules and guidelines.)
No firm dates or timelines have yet been released for a NSW recovery roadmap.
Source: nsw.gov.au
SA
The following businesses are closed:
- Beauty salons
- Nail salons
- Tattoo parlours
- Beauty therapy or body modification services
- Saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres
- Spas and massage parlours
South Australia’s COVID-19 recovery roadmap projects the reopening of beauty, massage, nails and tattooing to commence in step 2 (from June 8) and the reopening of spas and saunas in ‘future steps for consideration’ alongside things like large gatherings, nightclubs, bars and pubs etc.
Source: covid-19.sa.gov.au
WA
Western Australia is still closed for beauty and aesthetics. Beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo parlours, spas and massage parlours, and float centres are all listed as closed with no exceptions. However, for Chinese and alternative medicine/therapies (such as acupuncture), as well as remedial massage, there are no restrictions on these practices as long as such practices do not operate from an affected place e.g. a wellness centre or beauty parlour. According to WA’s recovery roadmap, beauty therapy and personal care services are projected to be permitted in phase 3 – which is set to occur mid-June.
Source: wa.gov.au
VIC
All other personal care services (aside from hairdressing) where there is close contact for a prolonged period, are not permitted to operate, including:
- Beauty therapy, spray tanning, waxing and nail salons
- Tattoo and piercing parlours
- Spas and massage parlours
Allied health services, such as physiotherapy and podiatry are not required to close.
In terms of a recovery roadmap, we know that in stage two, gatherings of 20 are set to be allowed at homes, as well as beauty salons, in addition to gyms, cinemas, galleries and camping grounds reopening, but no firm dates or time frames have been announced on this yet.
Source: dhhs.vic.gov.au
NT
From May 15, you will be able to operate or attend a beauty therapy salon for (non facial) services, such as nails, massage and tanning. Upon reopening, all businesses are required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist submitted and COVID-19 safety plan procedures in place as part of the ‘New Normal’ business restart process, and are required to take extra precautions and implement processes and procedures to reduce the spread of the virus.
Source: coronavirus.nt.gov.au
ACT
The government website simply states: In the ACT, restrictions first commenced at 11:59pm (local time) 23 March 2020 and were recently updated and expanded on 31 March 2020. Affected businesses include, but are not limited to pubs, gyms, skate parks, cinemas, beauty salons and other public places. There is no sign of an ACT-specific recovery roadmap as of yet.
Source: covid19.act.gov.au
TAS
In Tasmania, beauty therapy, tanning, waxing, manicure or other nail treatments, tattoos, ear and body piercing, body modification and other similar services are not permitted to operate.
Tasmania’s recovery roadmap expects beauty services (including tattoo, nails, waxing, facials and tanning) for up to 20 people to be in operation from June 15 (in addition to other lifts such as a gatherings increase to 20 people at a time for indoor and outdoor activities). Spas and bathhouses are predicted to reopen as of July 13.
Source: coronavirus.tas.gov.au
Let us know in the comments how these changes in legislation are affecting your business decisions this week!
