Sarah Mourtos Victorians can go to the dentist, eat at a pub or even pay a visit to a sex worker without wearing a mask, but facials are still off limits.
The Victorian spa and clinic community has taken to social media to express its frustration in the current masks requirements for beauty and personal services. Metropolitan Melbourne restrictions eased last week, allowing services to resume providing both the therapist and client both wore a mask for the entire duration of the treatment. This requirement has effectively put a cap on the services clinics can perform as most treat skin on the face.
Many have criticised Premier Daniel Andrew’s mask policy, pointing out double standards across industries. Dental services are allowed to resume without mask restrictions, despite therapists wearing similar PPE as hygienists.
Gry Tømte, owner of HUD Skin + Body, started the campaign #SaveVicSkinClinics. She began a Facebook group encouraging Victorian clinics to share an open letter to the Premier on the 27th October. The idea was to make collective noise and flood social media feeds. It’s since been shared by hundreds within the community.
“As an industry highly regulated and educated in infection control both pre and post COVID, we are absolutely flabbergasted that we are unable to operate – considering treating the face for most of us makeup 90 – 95% of our services…We can create a safe environment for clients by wearing two layers of protection so that our clients don’t have to,” Gry said on Instagram.
A video was also made and has since been shown to the Premier’s Office. Gry encourages people to continue to email the premier and health minister to evoke change to the current mask requirements for skin clinics.
“TV hosts have their makeup applied daily by makeup artists on set. Does the virus behave differently in these settings perhaps? … Our colleagues in NSW have operated safely without any reinfections happening in a clinic. Mr Premier, enough is enough.”
Yes, we agree. #SaveVicSkinClinics
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