Nicole Keith is gobsmacked hairdressers are treated as essential services in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Narooma Hair Room owner attempted to follow guidelines to stop the spread of coronavirus, but said social distancing rules were "absolutely impossible".
Ms Keith fears for staff in "coughing distance" of clients.
"You're over the top of their faces when shampooing their hair," Ms Keith said.
"Most of the time you are less than 30cm apart."
Hair salons were not issued a Public Health Order to close, but this week, Ms Keith felt the right thing to do was to close the salon for a "home-stay vacation".
It's devastating; it's only a certain amount of time you can stay closed for until bankruptcy.
- Nicole Keith - Salon owner
"We are taking a break for the safety of staff and the community," she said.
With the doors closed, anxious staff are relying on leave entitlements.
"It's scary for these beautiful people working for you, because you can't tell them when or if you will be paying them again," Ms Keith said.
"Not being able to give them answers, I fear for their wellbeing."
Ms Keith suffers from an autoimmune disease and was confused as to why salons were not forced to close like similar trades.
"I just don't understand why a hair salon is an essential service," she said.
"All the salons I know of fear for their staff."
Ms Keith sent letters to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, begging for salons to be closed.
"I have had no reply," she said.
A frustrated Ms Keith said she finally offered the PM "a free haircut sitting with strangers".
Despite the government's call for people to stay home, Ms Keith said clients would still come in "for something to do".
On Saturday, major chain Just Cuts made the decision to shut down for at least four weeks, given the physical risk and mental toll on hairdressers and clients.
"Hairdressing is not a big business for profit," Ms Keith said.
"It's devastating; it's only a certain amount of time you can stay closed for until bankruptcy.
"The Hair Room is a strong salon, trading for nearly 20 years; we only just scraped through during the bushfires but this virus [pandemic] will hit us even worse.
"It's gut-wrenching.
"The government's procedures are too slow; why is it taking them until now to close places?
... I still didn't feel comfortable to return back to work.
- Senior hairdresser Renee Lavis
"I can't protect the community, it's out of my hands.
"It's extremely hard to protect my staff. I want to do the right thing and keep them safe.
"The sooner we all shut down, the quicker this will all be over and done with."
Senior hairdresser Renee Lavis decided to stay home despite the salon being open last week.
"With the announcement of the 30-minute time limit per client I called it," she said.
"I could not possibly do any services in that time!
"I sat on the phone for an hour canceling all of my future bookings, which was hard especially not being able to re-book the clients, it seems no one knows when this will all be over.
"As hard as that was, I feel better knowing I am doing my part in keeping our beautiful community and family safe.
"Even though the time limit was lifted, I still didn't feel comfortable to return back to work.
"I love doing hair but at the end of the day everyone's safety is more important."
For the latest news and information about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic facing our community, CLICK HERE.
