Beauty salon owner confused over business opening rules

Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes are all set to open their doors on Monday, but many businesses, like beauty salons, are still waiting for the green light, leaving owners frustrated and confused. Bunbury’s Skin Plus Beauty owner Fiona Jones closed her doors and turned down bookings at the start of the pandemic, following government instructions. “Honestly I am just frustrated and confused,” she said. “I was 99 per cent sure we would get the go ahead to open May 18 and I cannot fathom why beauty salons haven’t.” While Ms Jones praised the Premier for doing a “tremendous job” she thinks the decision to open the regions but keep some businesses closed does not make sense. “I actually sent a letter to Mark McGowan and his team questioning the recent decision,” she said. “If the Government is concerned about a second wave of coronavirus, opening the regions and keeping a business like a beauty salon closed just seems illogical.” Ms Jones said there was a blurred line between providing beauty treatments and cutting hair. “I understand the Government are trying to adhere to the 1.5m rule but I would challenge anyone to provide me with a hairdresser that can cut hair or have the arm reach of 1.5m,” she said. “We wash and sanitise between every client, the exposure is just as high for a hairdresser and in a very close proximity, so what is the difference? A hairdresser cannot wash a client’s hair from 1.5m away.” With no firm date as to when she can reopen her salon, Ms Jones is left playing the waiting game. “We can’t ring creditors or the bank or let clients know when they can start booking appointments, it is frustrating,” she said. “Next weekend when the borders open I can guarantee the South West will be inundated with people from Perth. “All of that traffic will be allowed to drive in and infect the region but I can’t have a client come in to get her eyebrows waxed, it just baffles me.”