Sarah Mourtos Victorians will never look at doughnuts the same again as they have triggered the widespread easing of restrictions.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that metropolitan Melbourne beauty services could resume as it enters into the third stage of restriction easing. The state recorded its second day of zero cases since March, which triggered the changes to home-visits and major industries reopening.
Many Melbournians celebrated the good news with doughnuts, symbolising the amount of new cases, today and yesterday, which was zero.
Beauty and personal services can resume as of 11.59 pm tonight provided masks are worn by the client and therapist for the entire duration of the service. This is the news many Melbourne clinics and spas have been waiting to hear.
Valentina Novakovic, Founder of Nova Skin Aesthetic in Caulfield South,
says she lost hope that restrictions would never ease, so yesterday’s news was welcomed.
“Yesterday’s news brought on so many emotions, happy tears and joy. Even though some restrictions are still in place, I am thrilled to open my clinic and see my beautiful clients finally,” Valentina said.
She will only be able to resume brow services along with skin consultations, anti-ageing eye treatments and retail sales due to the mask restrictions still in place.
“I am just excited to have my door open and talk with people in my community,” she adds.
Valentina says several of her clients have already booked in for a service but most are waiting for skin treatments.
“I am about 40 per cent booked in already for November which I am happy with considering I am a new business and not many people know about me besides my clients who followed me. Most of them are waiting for skin treatments,” she said.
Mr Andrews has not released any details on when mask restrictions will be lifted for skin treatments.
Melbourne went into a harsh stage four lockdown in July forcing several businesses to shut their doors for weeks on end. As case numbers soared, so did the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Regional Victoria beauty businesses proceeded out of lockdown earlier than anticipated thanks to the Roadmap To Recovery, a plan detailing the return to ‘COVID normal’. Yet, this did not come without its struggles as several spas and clinics pushed to allow their services to resume in line with hairdressers.
Congratulations Victoria! We admire your strength and will continue to offer support over the coming months. We are so proud of you.
