Hairdressers acting ‘dangerously’ at home appointments

A GP has condemned the ‘dangerous practice’ of hairdressers who are flouting the Covid19 rules to carry out appointments in homes.

Hair salons and barbers were one of the first businesses to be closed due to Covid-19, but it has been claimed that Tyrone hairdressers have been carrying out appointments from client’s home despite the social distancing regulations.

The Tyrone Herald was contacted by a number of people who claimed that hairdressers are actively seeking out clients and going into their homes to cut and colour hair.

The local woman claimed it is ‘rife’ in the Castlederg area.

She said, “I have family and friends in Castlederg and the surrounding areas who have all witnessed this going on and find it absolutely ridiculous and unsafe, and would like to see it stopped for the safety of others.

“Looking at the guidelines, this is illicit behaviour which breaks all the rules.

“From entering the homes of others, the two metre distancing, which, unless it is Inspector Gadget cutting your hair, is impossible and leaves two people not from the same household in extremely close quarters.

“I understand we are in a time of crisis and for some it means reduced or no income, however it is incomprehensible to myself, as well as totally ignorant and selfish to be going in and out of multiple homes and being in such close contact with people.

“This is more than likely going on in other areas too.

“It feels like greed rather than need in this current crisis and really ought to be stopped until such time as businesses can reopen.”

Dr Josephine Deehan from Strule Medical Practice in Omagh condemned the actions, and said if hairdressers are going into homes at this time, it is ‘dangerous practice.’

Dr Deehan said, “I would really encourage people to observe the regulations very strictly.

“A hairdresser comes into very close physical contact with another person, and also, if that hairdresser is going from one home to another home, they are at risk of spreading infection from home to home.

“That is really dangerous.

“I would urge people not to do this.

“It is much better to go with untidy hair for a period of time rather than risk contracting a virus which is potentially fatal.

“The fact that people are doing these things means that they don’t fully understand the risk that the virus presents.”

Dr Deehan continued by saying we are not out of the woods yet, and ‘we must not become complacent.’

She said, “We are very fortunate in this area because of our low population and general compliance with regulations that we have had exceptionally low levels of Covid infection and deaths.

“However, one death is too many and it brings a lot of suffering and distress for families.

“Keep your guard up, stick by the regulations and don’t be responsible for infecting yourself or your family,” concluded Dr Deehan.