Below covers what’s happening over the 4 nations and the latest financial support by the government.

England is now in national lockdown. All personal care services including mobile must close. That includes the hair industry as well as others such as nail salons, tattoo parlors and spas. The restrictions are expected to last until mid February at the earliest.

Wales

All close contact businesses including mobile hairdressers were required to close on midnight 19th December. “Find out more on the Welsh Government website”

Scotland

Mainland Scotland is now under lockdown. All close contact services must remain closed. The only exceptions are: Orkney, Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) All Islands in Highland with the exception of Skye, Argyll and Bute: Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Gura, Mull Oronsay, Tire and Ulva.

In these areas only:

Salon and Barber shops can open. Mobile hairdressers and barbering can operate. Shop or others such as home treatment rooms can operate. Close contact services delivered from a salon.

All other types of mobile close contact services are not permitted. These measures are kept under regular review.

“For more information” visit the Scottish government website”

Northern Island

Northern Ireland entered a six-week lockdown on 26 December 2020. All close contact services, including mobile, must close.

Within the new measures:

• Those with a genuine medical need will still be able to access specific hair and beauty services by appointment only but they must provide the appropriate medical records.
• Make-up artists and hair & beauty practitioners working for film and TV will still be able to operate.
• Click and collect is banned for non-essential businesses forced to close: this includes hair and beauty businesses.

Find out more on the Northern Ireland Executive website.

The lockdown measures will be reviewed after four weeks.

New financial support

Hair and beauty businesses in England, along with all others required to close, will receive one-off grants to help them through to the spring. One-off top-ups will be granted to closed businesses as follows:

• £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under.
• £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000.
• £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000.

To help businesses in the devolved nations:

• The Scottish Government will receive £375 million.
• The Welsh Government will receive £227 million.
• The Northern Ireland Executive will receive £127 million.

This financial support is in addition to the schemes already announced by the government. Find out more on the government website

This and much more information are featured on the NHBF website.