ABT's Reopening with Confidence COVID-19 Guide - UK

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ABT Insurance Mini Guide to COVID-19

REOPENING with Confidence This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

What is COVID-19?

Epidemic vs Pandemic What is a Pandemic What is an Epidemic An epidemic is the occurrence of more cases of a disease than would be expected in a geographical location. It affects many people at the same time, and spreads from person to person in a community or region where the disease is not permanently prevalent.

What is a virus Viruses invade living cells, in this instance within the human body, and use those cells to multiply to produce replicated viruses of themselves. They do this by using the ‘goodness’ from the cell they have invaded ‘the host’. Each ‘host’ cell has a nucleus and within that the virus finds the proteins it needs to copy their genetic material before infecting other cells. They need living cells to continue the chain of infection and we need to break this chain to stop the virus from spreading.

A pandemic is when an epidemic occurs in various geographical locations worldwide, or over a wider international range. A pandemic is an epidemic that spreads and crosses over international boarders and has no boundaries about how far it can travel and is why it usually affects large amounts of people and populations. Pandemics can be used to describe poverty, or in this case a disease.

What is the Coronavirus There are six species of human coronaviruses that are known, one species has subdivided in to two strains, therefore making seven strains of human coronaviruses altogether that are known.

Coronaviruses have been around for many years and were first detected in the 1960s. Coronaviruses come from a family of viruses that are known to cause a range of illnesses from the common cold to more severe diseases such as MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

SARS was identified and declared an epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2003 however by July 2003 no area of the world has reporting transmissions of SARS. The SARS virus first infected humans in 2002 in the Guangdong province of southern China quite similarly to the current COVID-19 which was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

What is COVID-19 COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’ The COVID-19 virus and as mentioned before is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as SARS and some types of common cold.

Who can get it Anyone can get COVID-19. Those aged over 70 seem to be more vulnerable than those aged under 70, as are people with pre-existing medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease such as chronic respiratory disease along with those with weakened immune systems through other illnesses such as cancer.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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Epidemic vs Pandemic Prevention To stop the chain of infection, we need to practice prevention techniques that will slow down the transmission of the virus and protect ourselves and others from possible infection.

We can do this by: Washing your hands regularly with soap and water or cleaning them with alcohol-based hand rub.

Always use a disposable tissue to catch airborne droplets when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of it after use. If you don’t have a tissue to hand, cough or sneeze into a flexed elbow. Always wash your hands immediately with soap and water or an alcoholbased hand rub.

In line with current social distancing guidelines,maintain 1m+ where 2m social distancing between you and other people is not possible.

The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but disinfectants can kill it so make sure you are thoroughly wiping down surfaces and objects regularly.

Avoid touching your face.

Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

To practice good health you could also refrain from activities that weaken the lungs for example smoking.

If you experience any recognised symptoms of COVID-19 (see below), stay at home.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to the flu via the nose, eyes and mouth. When some is carrying the COVID-19 virus, they release and transmit respiratory infected fluid droplets by exhaling, sneezing and coughing. If you are standing within the social distancing perimeters of a person who has COVID-19, you may catch it by breathing in those infected droplets.

Not only that, those infected droplets may also fall onto nearby surfaces and objects such as tables and phones contaminating a hard surface for several hours. Someone else who touches a surface or object that has been contaminated with the COVID-19 virus, and then touches their nose, mouth or eyes, could also catch the virus.

Follow government guidelines, these can be found on gov.uk

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual) A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. On average it takes five to six days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Many of those who have experienced COVID-19 report fever, cough and shortness of breath, symptoms similar to the flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19.

More rarely, the disease can be fatal.

Most infected people will develop a mild to moderate illness, and those who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home and recover without hospitalisation. Current government guidance is to stay at home for at least 7 days from when your symptoms started and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 (find out more at www.gov.uk).

Anyone else in your household should self isolate for 14 days even if they feel well.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. If this is the case, seek medical attention by calling the NHS 111 online coronavirus service (https://111.nhs.uk/).

In an emergency, dial 999.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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Contents 2

What is COVID-19?

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What ABT are Doing

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Guidance for re-opening your business safely

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Your Free Poster - ‘How We are Complying with Salon Guidelines’

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Useful Resources

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Further Education & Guidance for reopening after COVID-19

ABT have felt the need to wait for government announcements to best guide our members on the most up-to-date information to provide confidence and safety for both yourself, clients and staff. We have been cautious not to mislead members with inaccurate or incomplete guidance which does not comply with government guidelines and could lead to serious implications for the health and safety of business owners, staff and clients as well as unnecessary products being bought that might not meet government guidelines as well as limiting much needed resources of equipment for front line workers.

Now that the UK government have released their guidance on health and safety, PPE, staff welfare and client safety, we feel this is the time to release information to help ABT members and the wider industry.

This document will be updated as and when further government guidelines and best practice is released, in particular any different information presented by devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Rest assured, any updated information will be communicated to ABT members via email, online and via our social media channels.

If ABT is your insurance provider please keep checking back on our specific COVID-19 page on www.abtinsurance. co.uk as well as following us on ABT social media platforms where we will update you on any further findings in regard to guidelines, standards and your policies.

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What ABT are Doing?

What is ABT doing Throughout this time ABT has remained open to do all we can for our members. We have upgraded our communication lines to provide a level of service to our new and existing members and have been there to support you on live chat, phone, email, messenger and web throughout this crisis, answering your questions and queries to the best of our knowledge and seeking advice and help from our brokers and underwriters when it comes to understanding the law and government guidelines.

We have also been making sure your policies have been kept up to date with the new qualification certificates you have been sending in and renewing those policies where necessary as well as helping new members take out policies and start their journey with ABT. Claims that have arisen during this time have been handled as quickly as possible as well and we have also been dealing with an additional surge in our new service of online accreditation whilst continuing to accredit those courses for when we can resume a face to face style of learning again in the future.

Accreditation When faced with unprecedented times, the ABT team worked fast to create a solution to keep our industry going. We negotiated with our underwriters, brokers and respective Associations to enable training schools, academies and colleges to continue to operate with new online teaching techniques including live streaming apps.

Most importantly, this means that you – our Members – can continue to develop and grow, choosing courses and adding new treatments to your businesses. What could be a better conversation starter than telling clients through your social media channels that you have new treatments to offer!

ABT’s Accreditation Team have worked as quickly as possible through applications from training schools that have taken up the initiative since we launched ABT Online Accreditation at the end of March shortly after lockdown restrictions came into place. ABT Online Accreditation has now accredited over 150 colleges and in excess of 640 courses for online teaching with more added daily.

To be sure the course you are choosing is accredited properly, look out for the new ABT Online Accredited logo or check the course you are looking in to doing is on the ABT Online Accreditation list at www. beautyandhairdressing.co.uk. In this time of need within our industry, we think of it as ‘physically distancing but socially learning online’.

We have received some fantastic feedback to ABT Online Accreditation including:

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank ABT for allowing online courses during this awful time, the best thing I ever did was change my accreditation to ABT; if we hadn’t been allowed to train using the online training option my business would have totally gone. Thank you for all your hard work during this time too.”

“It has been amazing that you have enabled us to do this. Thank you so much, it really has also allowed our business to survive and reach a wider range of people throughout the UK.” “The Virtual Academy is being really well received by our learners, they are really enjoying this flexible way of learning!”

For those interested in ABT Online Accreditation for your training school, please email accreditation@abtinsurance.co.uk

Keeping you up-to-Date We have also been updating you daily on the latest industry news via our membership website Beautyandhairdressing.co.uk, making sure our industry stays alive throughout this time and more recently providing you with roadmaps, guides and articles on re-opening.

Now’s a great time to visit the website to benefit from these resources, as well as news on Summer ’20 product launches, if you’ve yet to do so.

All ABT members and non-members have been kept informed with the latest industry news straight to their inbox with our ABT and Beauty & Hairdressing bi-weekly newsletter. We hope you have found this informative and useful during the last couple of months. We will continue to send these to you every other week.

Resources Within this document there are resources that can be used as visual aids around your salon, and/or sent to your clients to engage with them and let hem know you are re-opening. These include a ‘How We are Complying with Salon Guidelines’ poster for you to display in your salon or treatment room.

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How ABT is Supporting You ABT Membership & Insurance

3 months’ free insurance with ABT

If your ABT membership – or insurance with another provider – is due for renewal, or has lapsed during lockdown, remember to renew it now.

To support salons, therapists, nail techs, hairdressers and barbers as they put plans into place to reopen, ABT has announced its biggest ever membership offer – 12 months’ membership for the price of 9 available on all ABT membership packages including salons, individuals and students.

It’s imperative that you keep continual cover in place at this moment in time. Continuous coverage refers to having insurance coverage without any lapses. It is important as it may have legal ramifications if a claim is made against you or you need to make a claim.

You should consider what your policy provides cover for, and choose a policy for Professional Liability, Public and Product Liability Insurance, which all ABT policies are.

Even whilst your salon is closed, if you are still providing advice or instruction to any clients, even virtually (via online platforms such as Zoom etc), you will still have the need to protect you and your business against breach of your professional duty. Legal defence and damage payouts can be costly.

If your policy includes insurance cover for loss, destruction and or damage to physical assets that you own and/or are responsible for then, a suitable policy should remain in force. The likelihood of a fire, flood, theft/vandalism etc still remains. Consider insurance requirements under any contracts you may have entered into for the leasing of equipment and/or property; you may be contractually bound to continue with insurance cover.

If you don’t currently have insurance, choose a policy that’s right for you, think about all the treatments you are qualified in, the treatments you are thinking about training in and don’t underestimate the amount of insurance cover you will need. Be aware of exclusions, claims excesses, patch test requirements and declarations agreed too as well as extra charges and endorsements.

Available to all existing and new members, using unique codes will gain you three months’ free insurance when you renew/join.

Current ABT members will be sent a unique code via email to enable you to claim your three months’ free ABT membership including insurance on your next renewal date, which is valid until September 2021.

Beauty and hair professionals who are not currently ABT members but who would like to take out annual membership with 12 months’ insurance for the price of 9, have until 23rd July to avail of this offer using the code 3FREE. ABT Membership includes up to £6 million Professional Treatment Risks Insurance should anything happen while you are performing a treatment, £6 million Public Liability should any accidents occur, and £6 million Product Liability should there be any injury or loss arising from the products you supply. In addition, membership also includes unlimited defence costs per claim with unlimited number of claims in a year.

The offer is available for memberships taken out / renewed online only at www.abtinsurance.co.uk.

Excludes contents packages. Terms & conditions apply.

In addition, choose a policy that is ‘claims occurring’ wording to get long term protection.

ABT policies include £6 million each of Professional Liability Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, Product Liability Insurance, and Medical Malpractice/Treatment Risk Insurance, and you can add new treatments to the policy as your skills grow.

“If you don’t currently have insurance, choose a policy that’s right for you”

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Guidance for re-opening your business safely The UK government has issued guidance for those who work with close contact services, including hairdressers, barbers, beauty therapists, nail technicians, tattooists, sports and massage therapists, for when businesses reopen to ensure that transmission levels of COVID-19 are kept to a minimum.

It has worked with a range of stakeholders in the beauty industry to develop the measures close contact services will need to consider to become COVID-19 secure, which in brief include: • Using screens or barriers to separate clients from each other, and to separate practitioners from clients, such as in nail salons • Operating an appointment-only booking system to minimise the number of people on the premises at any one time • Keeping the activity time involved to a minimum •

Increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning, as well as regularly cleaning equipment or using disposable equipment where possible

• Avoiding skin to skin contact and wearing gloves where it is not crucial to the service, such as in nail bars and tanning salons • Maintaining sufficient spacing between customer chairs • Not allowing food or drink, other than water, to be consumed in the salon by customers • Making sure a limited and fixed number of workers work together, if they have to be in close proximity to do their jobs Full guidance can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/ guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/ close-contact-services#close-contact-2-1 and in the government document Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-19 in close contact services (issued 24.6.20).

Salon cleanliness and hygiene To prevent COVID-19 transmission, you should keep all surfaces clean. The government guidance advises that you do this by: • Spacing appointments to allow for frequent cleaning of work areas and equipment between uses, using your usual cleaning products.

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Frequently clean objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, including door handles or staff handheld devices, and make sure there are adequate disposal arrangements for cleaning products.

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Clearing workspaces and removing waste and belongings from the work area at the end of a shift, including not providing reading materials such as magazines in client waiting areas.

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Sanitising any reusable equipment, including client chairs, treatment beds, and equipment, such as scissors used after each appointment, and at the start and end of shifts.

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Using disposable gowns for each client.

Where this is not possible, use separate gowns (and towels in the normal way) for each client, washing between use and dispose of appropriately as required.

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Encouraging staff not to wear their uniforms at home or to and from the workplace, to change uniforms on a daily basis and to wash immediately after use.

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Maintaining good ventilation in the work environment, for example keeping windows or doors open. The government advise that you should check whether your salon ventilation system needs servicing or adjusting, for example so that they do not automatically reduce ventilation levels due to lower than normal occupancy levels. Most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment, however where systems serve multiple buildings, or you are unsure, advice should be sought from your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.

If you are cleaning after a known or suspected case of COVID-19 then you should refer to the specific government guidance.

Keeping your staff safe If you employ staff, you have a duty of care to reduce the risk to your staff of contracting COVID-19, and making the workplace risk the lowest reasonably practical by carrying out a risk assessment.

The government advises this is done by: • Ensuring both workers and clients who feel unwell stay at home and do not attend the premise.

• Increasing the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning.

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Guidance for re-opening your business safely

• Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible.

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Making every reasonable effort to comply with the social distancing guidelines set out by the government (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable. You should consider and set out the mitigations you will introduce in your risk assessments).

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Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full, in relation to a particular activity, you should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the business to operate, and if so, take all the mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission between their staff.

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Clearly, when providing close contact services, it often may not be possible to maintain social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m apart with risk mitigation, is acceptable). As a result, personal protective equipment in the form of a visor will be required to mitigate the risk (see page 10).

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Using screens or barriers to separate clients from one another. If the practitioner is wearing a visor, screens will not provide additional protection between the practitioner and the individual.

• Everyone working in close proximity for an extended period of time must wear a visor.

• Using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible.

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Using a consistent pairing system, defined as fixing which workers work together, if workers have to be in close proximity (defined as being within arm’s-length of someone else for a sustained period of time).

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If people must work face-to-face for a sustained period with more than a small group of fixed partners, then you will need to assess whether the activity can safely go ahead. Services which require workers to be within the ‘highest risk zone’ of clients (defined as the area in front of the face where splashes and droplets from the nose and mouth, that may not be visible, can be present and pose a hazard from the client to the practitioner and vice versa), for the entire duration or the majority of the time the service is being provided, should not be resumed unless they can be adapted in line with this guidance to make them safe (for example, by moving out of the highest risk zone and wearing a visor).

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The closer someone is to the source of the virus, the greater the risk of transmission. Particular attention should also be paid to avoiding contact with surfaces near to the client and thoroughly cleaning those surfaces after each client. No one is obliged to work in an unsafe work environment.

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The closer someone is to the source of the virus, the greater the risk of transmission. Particular attention should also be paid to avoiding contact with surfaces near to the client and thoroughly cleaning those surfaces after each client. No one is obliged to work in an unsafe work environment.

In your assessment you should have particular regard to whether the people doing the work are especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

Salon working hours & appointments To ensure that your practices do not discriminated against any members of your team, the government suggest you: • Be mindful of the particular needs of different groups of workers or individuals.

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Remember is against the law to discriminate, directly or indirectly, against anyone because of a protected characteristic such as age, sex, disability, race or ethnicity.

• Be aware that as an employer you have particular responsibilities towards disabled workers and those who are new or expectant mothers.

• Considering whether you need to put in place any particular measures or adjustments to take account of your duties under the equalities legislation.

• Understand and take into account the particular circumstances of those with different protected characteristics.

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Involve and communicate appropriately with workers whose protected characteristics might either expose them to a different degree of risk, or might make any steps you are thinking about inappropriate or challenging for them.

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Make reasonable adjustments to avoid disabled workers being put at a disadvantage, and assessing the health and safety risks for new or expectant mothers.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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Make sure that the steps you take do not have an unjustifiable negative impact on some groups compared to others, for example those with caring responsibilities or those with religious commitments.

Staff training To ensure that staff are aware of the changes that may have been made to their working environment and their working practices, the government suggests that you: • Develop communication and training materials for workers prior to returning to the salon, especially around new procedures for arrival at work.

• Provide clear, consistent and regular communication to improve understanding and consistency of ways of working.

• Engage with workers and worker representatives through existing communication routes to explain and agree any changes in working arrangements.

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Use simple, clear messaging to explain guidelines using images and clear language, with consideration of groups for which English may not be their first language and those with protected characteristics such as visual impairments.

• Engagement with staff on an ongoing basis to monitor and understand any unforeseen impacts of changes to working environments.

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Be aware and focus on the importance of mental health at times of uncertainty. The government has published guidance on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19).

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Use visual communications, for example whiteboards or signage, to explain changes to appointment schedules or stock shortages without the need for face-to-face communications.

• Ensure staff understand how to use and clean their PPE

Social distancing for staff You should put into practice any changes required to ensure that workers maintain social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) wherever possible, including while arriving at work, whilst at work, and when leaving work.

When providing close contact services, the nature of the work is such that maintaining social distancing will not usually be possible when actively serving a client. In these circumstances, both employers, staff and freelancers (self-employed) who may be working in the salon/spa environment should do everything they reasonably can to reduce risk. According to government guidance, this could include: • Further increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning.

• Keeping the treatment time involved as short as possible.

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Using screens or barriers to separate clients from one another. If the practitioner is wearing a visor, screens will not provide additional protection between the practitioner and the individual.

• Using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible.

• Using a consistent pairing system if workers have to be in close proximity.

• Only opening client waiting areas where social distancing can be maintained.

• Maintaining social distancing between the treatment or service areas, such as client chairs.

Social distancing applies to all parts of a business or home, not just the room where the service is delivered, but waiting rooms, corridors and staircases, where applicable.

Staff arriving and leaving the salon You should aim to maintain social distancing as much as possible for staff arriving and leaving the working environment. Government guidance suggests: •

Staggering arrival and departure times at work to reduce crowding into and out of the workplace, taking account of the impact on those with protected characteristics.

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Providing additional parking or facilities such as bike-racks to help people walk, run, or cycle to work, recognising this may not be possible in smaller workplaces.

• Reducing congestion, for example, by having more entry points to the workplace, where possible.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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Guidance for re-opening your business safely

• Using markings and introducing one-way flow at entry and exit points, where possible.

• Providing handwashing facilities (or hand sanitiser where not possible) at entry and exit points.

• Collaborating with other businesses who may share the premises to minimise the numbers of people on site.

• Remind staff that wearing a face covering is required by law when travelling as a passenger on public transport in England.

Keeping working areas safe for staff Workstations, such as treatment chairs, back wash stations, nail tables etc, should allow staff to maintain social distancing wherever possible. If it is not possible to ensure working areas comply with social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable), you should consider whether that activity needs to continue for the business to operate, and if so take all mitigating actions possible to reduce the risk of transmission.

Workstations should be assigned to an individual as much as possible. If they need to be shared, they should be shared by the smallest possible number of people.

The govenment suggests implementing the following changes if necessary: •

Review layouts and processes to maintain social distancing (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) between clients being served simultaneously, ensuring there is sufficient spacing between client chairs, for example, closing off alternate chairs.

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Use floor tape or paint to mark areas to help people comply with social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable).

• Ask clients to arrive at the scheduled time of their appointment and only provide a waiting area if social distancing can be maintained.

• Avoid overrunning or overlapping appointments and contact clients virtually to let them know when they are ready to be seen, where possible.

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Using screens to create a physical barrier between workstations, where this is practical. This will not be required between the practitioner and client when the practitioner is wearing a visor.

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Use a consistent pairing system, defined as fixing which workers work together, if workers have to be in close proximity. For example, this could include a stylist and apprentice.

• Minimise contacts around transactions, for example, considering using contactless payments including tips, where possible.

• Minimise how frequently equipment is shared between workers, frequently cleaning between use and assigned to an individual where possible.

• Use disposable items where possible, for example nail files, and ensuring non-disposable items are cleaned between clients.

Keeping common areas and staff rooms safe Government guidance recommends the following in order to maintain safety in areas used by more than one person and staff areas: • Stagger break times to reduce pressure on the staff break rooms or places to eat and ensure social distancing is maintained in staff break rooms.

• Use safe outside areas for breaks.

• Install screens to protect workers in receptions or similar areas.

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Encourage workers to bring their own food and drinks. Don’t allow food or drink to be consumed in the salon by clients other than water in disposable cups or bottles.

• Reconfigure seating and tables, such as in waiting areas, to optimise spacing and reduce face-to-face interactions.

• Encourage workers to remain on-site for their shift.

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Consider the use of social distance marking for other common areas such as toilets, staff rooms, changing rooms and in any other areas where queues typically form.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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Prepare materials and equipment in advance of scheduled appointments, such as scissors or hairbrushes in hairdressers, to minimise movement to communal working areas.

• Schedule appointments to avoid client congestion in waiting areas, particularly in establishments with smaller waiting areas.

• Only the client should be present in the same room for appointments in the home.

• Revise the staff kitchen layout •

Provide a secure area where social distancing is maintained for a client when services or treatments require development time, for example hair colouring.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE can protect you against the health and safety risks you and your staff may be exposed to at work. Even when wearing PPE, you should still aim to maintain social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable).

The government’s document Keeping Workers and Clients Safe During COVID-19 Close Contact Services states why they are advising the use of visors when hairdressers/barbers/beauty therapists etc are carrying out treatments: “In workplaces such as hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons and tattoo and photoshoot studios, it is likely to be difficult to maintain social distancing, as employees need to work in close proximity tovtheir clients, usually for an extended period of time. An extended period of time refers to the majority of the working day, irrespective of the number of clients served during the day. The person providing a service (such as hairdressers, because of the period of time spent in close proximity to a person’s face, mouth and nose) should therefore wear further protection in addition to any that they might usually wear.

This should take the form of a clear visor that covers the face and provides a barrier between the wearer and the client from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing, coughing or speaking. Visors must fit the user and be worn properly. It should cover the forehead, extend below the chin, and wrap around the side of the face.”

You may use either a disposable or re-usable visor, which must be cleaned and sanitised regularly using normal cleaning products.

The Government advises avoiding skin to skin contact and wearing gloves where it is not crucial to the service, such as in nail bars and tanning salons. Each individual business should determine ‘crucial’.

There is no requirement by the government for beauty or hair workers to wear any additional PPE to that which they would usually use, beyond a clear visor.

Face coverings / face masks are not an alternative to clear visors when carrying out close contact services.

Members of staff who are not performing treatments, such as receptionists, should be social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) and therefore the wearing of a face covering is not required. If a member of your team wishes to wear a face covering, you should allow them to do so.

There is no requirement for the client to wear any additional protection such as a mask or face covering, when the practitioner is wearing a visor.

Keeping Clients Safe You must continue to keep Client Record Cards which include clients’ contact details. Not only is this practice a requirement of your ABT membership, but this information may be required as part of coronavirus NHS Test and Trace activity.

The government has published information on steps that will need to be taken to keep your clients safe when visiting your salon: • Encourage clients to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the premises or before treatment.

•

Calculate the maximum number of clients that can reasonably follow social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) and limiting the number of appointments at any one time. Take into account total floorspace as well as likely pinch points and busy areas.

• When booking an appointment, asking clients to attend on their own, where possible.

•

Inform clients of guidance about visiting the premises prior to and at the point of arrival, and include information on your website, on booking forms and the salon entrance.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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Guidance for re-opening your business safely

•

Adjust how people move through the premises to reduce congestion and contact between clients, for example, a one-way flow. This may only be possible in larger establishments.

• Ensure any changes to entrances and exits take into account reasonable adjustments for those who need them, including disabled clients.

• Use outside spaces for queuing where available and safe.

•

Minimise contact between different workers whilst serving a client; for example, on a photoshoot which may include photographers, models, make-up artists and stylists.

• Operate an appointment-only system.

•

Review working practices to minimise the duration of contact with the client. Where extended treatments are undertaken consider how the length of the appointment could be minimised.

• Encourage clients to arrive at the time of their scheduled appointment (rather than early).

•

Maintain social distancing in waiting areas when clients wait for their appointments. Where waiting areas can no longer maintain social distancing due to size, consider moving to a ‘one-in-one-out’ policy.

• Limit the use of changing facilities available to clients and only open them when essential to providing a service, such as tanning studios.

• There is no requirement for the client to wear any additional protection such as a mask or face covering, when the practitioner is wearing a visor.

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•

Provide a safety briefing of on-site protocols, rules for shared areas and key facilities, for example, handwashing, to staff in particular freelance workers who may work at multiple locations.

• Ensure latest guidelines are visible throughout the entire premises.

• Ensure information provided to clients, such as advice on the location or size of queues, does not compromise their safety.

• Where necessary, inform clients that police and the local authorities have the powers to enforce •

requirements in relation to social distancing and may instruct clients to disperse, leave an area, issue a fixed penalty notice or take further enforcement action.

Questions to ask your clients Government guidance says that the following COVID-19 related screening questions should be asked of clients ahead of their appointment: • Have you had the recent onset of a new continuous cough?

• Do you have a high temperature?

• Have you noticed a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell?

If the client has any of these symptoms, however mild, the government advises they should stay at home and reschedule their appointment.

Customer / Staff Toilet Facilities

• To make sure your clients understand and follow the required guidance to maintain safety, the government suggest you:

The government guidance outlines the following steps needed to ensure that toilet facilities within your salon can remain open and safe to use:

•

Provide clear guidance on expected client behaviours, social distancing and hygiene to people before arrival, when scheduling their appointment and on arrival, for example, with signage and visual aids. Explain to clients that failure to observe safety measures will result in services not being provided.

•

Use signs and posters to build awareness of good handwashing technique, the need to increase handwashing frequency and to avoid touching your face, and to cough or sneeze into a tissue which is binned safely, or into your arm if a tissue is not available.

•

Provide written or spoken communication of the latest guidelines to both staff and clients inside and outside the premises. You should display posters or information setting out how clients should behave on your premises to keep everyone safe. Consider the particular needs of those with protected characteristics, such as those who are hearing or visually impaired.

•

Consider the use of social distancing marking in areas where queues normally form, and the adoption of a limited entry approach, with one in, one out(whilst avoiding the creation of additional bottlenecks).

•

To enable good hand hygiene, consider making hand sanitiser available on entry to toilets where safe and practical, and ensure suitable handwashing facilities including running water and liquid soap

and suitable options for drying (either paper towels or hand driers) are available.

•

Set clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets, with increased frequency of cleaning in line with usage. Use normal cleaning products, paying attention to frequently hand touched surfaces, and consider use of disposable cloths or paper roll to clean all hard surfaces.

• Keep the facilities well ventilated, for example by fixing doors open where appropriate. Put up a visible cleaning schedule and keep it up to date.

• Provide more waste facilities and more frequent rubbish collection.

Are there any treatments I should not be performing?

According to UK government guidance: “Services which require workers to be within the ‘highest risk zone’ of clients (defined as the area in front of the face where splashes and droplets from the nose and mouth, that may not be visible, can be present and pose a hazard from the client to the practitioner and vice versa), for the entire duration or the majority of the time the service is being provided (such as eyelash extensions), should not be resumed unless they can be adapted in line with this guidance to make them safe (for example, by moving out of the highest risk zone and wearing a visor).”

In line with this, on 17th July the UK government announced that treatments which are performed directly in front of the face - in the highest risk zone – may not be performed in salons, spas or mobile in England until 1st August.

This includes: • Face waxing, sugaring or threading services • Facial treatments • Advanced facial technical (electrical or mechanical) • Eyelash treatments • Make-up application • Dermarolling • Dermaplaning • Microblading • Electrolysis on the face

Information on restricted treatments for Scotland and Wales is not yet available, whilst there are no restrictions on beauty treatments in Northern Ireland

Working Mobile in Clients’ Homes In addition to the guidance for close contact workers based in fixed environments such as salons, the UK government has issued advice for those who must work in other people’s homes, such as mobile hairdressers, nail techs and therapists.

This includes discussing with clients ahead of your to ask that social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) are maintained from other people in the household, as well as hygiene standards expected.

The UK government’s full advice for working safely in other peoples’ homes is available online at www.gov.uk/ guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/ homes and in the document: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) in other people’s homes.

COVID-19 and your professional insurance If a client claims to have contracted COVID-19 whilst you have visited their home to perform a treatment, provided, as an ABT member, you (the policy holder) are operating legally in line with government and local authority guidelines, your insurance policy will respond to allegations of negligence against you, in the same way as for alleged injuries arising from treatment.

The policy covers you against third party claims and allegations of negligently causing accidental bodily injury (which includes illness) in the course of your business. The onus will be on the claimant to prove you were negligent.

Any claim will be individually judged by insurers and subject to the full policy terms and conditions.

If someone makes an allegation or claim against you, report it immediately to ABT and follow the claims procedure. Balens and ABT will support you in the ‘normalway’ by getting all relevant information together for insurers. Do not admit liability and please refer to your policy document for full claims conditions.

Please see the ABT website for full details and check your policy wording ‘ABT Terms of Business’ for full details.

• Eyebrow treatments • Intricate detailing, outlining or shaving of beards • Advanced beauty therapy and aesthetic treatments

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How We are Complying with Salon Guidelines 1. OUR SALON 4 We have undertaken a thorough review of our salon and the services we offer 4 We have rearranged our waiting, reception and treatment areas to adhere to social distancing guidelines

4. GUEST ARRIVAL & RECEPTION 4 We will greet you warmly but without a handshake or personal contact

4 All surfaces throughout the salon will be cleaned regularly and wiped with the appropriate cleaning product between each treatment

4 We will stagger customer arrival times to minimise close contact

4 All items of equipment will be cleaned before and after every treatment. This includes all metal instruments, brushes, bowels and tweezers

4 Where possible we will escort you straight to the treatment area/room to avoid congestion in waiting areas

4 One-use disposable items will be used where necessary (suitable alternatives kept where possible)

4 Waiting areas will be arranged to adhere to social distancing

4 We will ensure adequate ventilation throughout the salon with doors and windows open where possible

4 We ask that you pay using card or other cashless means where possible

2. OUR TEAM

5. WE ASK YOU, OUR CUSTOMERS

4 We have conducted training to ensure all team members care for our customers in a safe, hygienic and professional manner

To Arrive at the time agreed, to maximise social distancing

4 Staff have been trained to adapt each treatment to uphold best practice, including hygiene and safety 4 We have agreed social distancing for our team in communal staff areas 4 Staff are briefed to uphold safe standards while dealing with responsibilities at reception

4 We will clean the reception area regularly

To wash your hands and/or use hand sanitiser as directed by our team and before and after each treatment To wear face-masks supplied by us To contact us and re-arrange you appointment, if you have a temperature, or are feeling unwell or if any person in your household has the same or is self isolating.

Do not come to the salon if you or anyone you live with is self -isolating or is displaying symptoms known to be consistent with COVID-19

3. OUR TREATMENTS 4 We have reviewed our treatment menu and removed treatments where we felt it necessary to do so 4 Our therapist will wear gloves, masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) during treatments where required. Therapists will wash their hands before and after every treatment

We are happy to discuss any of your individual concerns, please feel free to speak with a member of staff

4 PPE will be replaced after every treatment 4 Our Therapists will stay with you throughout your treatment - not entering out of the room - to reduce the need to replace PPE and minimise infection

Guidelines were correct at time of printing this document as of 1.06.20 and we reserve the right to change an adapt this poster to stay in line with government policies and guidelines as and when received.

FAQs - ABT Insurance Can I go back to work now?

The key dates for when you can return to work in hair and beauty are as follows:

Northern Ireland Hair salons & barbers..............................................6th July Beauty salons...........................................................6th July

Wales:

Does my insurance, under normal trading circumstances, allow me to bulk buy nails, add England nail art to them and sell them Hair salons & barbers..............................................4th July on to a customer as a painted Beauty salons & spas.............................................13th July set. I’m planning on supplying

with restrictions on facial treatments until 1st August instructions on application Scotland and removal.

Hair salons & barbers............................................15th July Hair salons & barbers............................................13th July Beauty salons.........................................................27th July

with enhanced hygiene measures

Beauty salons........................................................ 22nd July

with enhanced hygiene measures

Government guidance advice also applies to businesses that operate in different locations, such as massage therapists working in people’s homes, and those learning in vocational training environment.

Please check your relevant devolved government website for full details of guidelines and any restrictions.

Has my insurance been frozen while I have been unable to work?

The answer is unfortunately not. ABT Membership and Insurance is for a ‘fixed term’ which means it cannot be extended or frozen. The insurance will continue to run and provide protection against claims, made in the situations where your policy is currently limited and valid for as mentioned before, virtual treatments, online consultations, tutorials for clients / occasional ‘teaching’ and demonstrations which can all be done within the guidelines of social distancing, or provide protection against claims which may still arise even if you are closed during this unfortunate situation. Therefore, as a gesture of good will we have put into place the 3 months free insurance offer, available as a one off to our members until September 2021. Once the code has been released all our members can take advantage online at the point of renewal.

This is covered under Product Liability – and as such retailing of Products to non-treatment based clients and has a maximum £30k turnover.

Providing that you are only retailing the “Press on nail” kits to your clients to apply themselves at home and providing the packs of nails come with clear written instructions on how to apply and remove them, this would be acceptable for insurance purposes. You would not be insured to ‘teach’ your clients how to apply and remove the false nails, you are simply selling the product to them as you would any other retail item e.g. a nail polish, cleanser etc.

The above applies to other products ‘retailed’ and not used in conjunction with a treatment.

Full policy details should be checked and relevant qualifications held.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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FAQs - ABT Insurance My insurance is due for renewal, but I am not working You should consider, what does your policy provide you cover for? If the policy is for Professional Liability, Public & Product Liability Insurance which all ABT policies are, and you are still providing advice, treatment, therapies or instruction to any clients, even virtually (via online platforms such as zoom etc) then, you will still have the need to protect you and your business for breach of your professional duty. Legal defence and damage payouts can be costly.

If your policies include insurance cover for loss, destruction and/or damage to physical assets that you own and/or are responsible for then, we consider that any suitable policy should remain in force. The likelihood of a fire, flood, theft/vandalism etc still remains.

Consider insurance requirements under any contracts you may have entered into for the leasing of equipment and/or property – you may be contractually bound to continue with insurance cover.

What cover applies to virus related claims?

The policy covers you against third party claims and allegations of negligently causing accidental bodily injury (which includes illness) in the course of your business. The onus will be on the claimant to prove you were negligent. Any claim will be individually judged by insurers and subject to the full policy terms and conditions.

Should I include details of a client’s health with regards to COVID-19 in my Online Consultation?

This would and should form part of the consultation process and if detailed, this would be submersible for a claim. It is less of a legal document issue, but more good practice and investing in the salon’s safety for staff and clients. Many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, or may not be showing any signs, so whilst it is great business practice it’s not exhaustive as all other safety measures apply.

What should I be including on my client record card?

You should already be keeping client record cards as part of your terms and conditions and the declaration questions agreed with ABT when taking out the policy.

Without these your policy may be invalid. You should already be including on your treatment record cards, client’s name and contact details, this could include address, phone number and an email. Client record cards should also include the date, time and the treatment title that was had by your client. You could go into further details and note the products you used during the treatment or any comments mentioned by the client in reference to the treatment. If required it could be worth noting the date that you carried out your client’s last patch test so to keep in line with policy and manufacturing guidelines which could require you to patch test every 3 months. You could go into further details and note if any retail items were bought and aftercare advice you have provided, however we do understand that sometimes not all of this can be done after each client, the more detail that is kept the better it is to assist with a potential claim.

Should I allow clients to bring their children into the salon?

Only your client is to attend the appointment, even in their own home. From the point of view of insurance, only the client attending receiving the treatment is insured, i.e. children are not insured to be in the salon.

Provided people are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder, in the same way as for alleged injuries arising from treatment.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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What do I do in the event of notification of a claim?

If you have a claim or become aware of an incident that could result in a claim, please contact ABT preferable by email on info@abtinsurance.co.uk so that we can make sufficient notes on your policy. You will then be directed to the Claims department at Balens Ltd on 01684 893 006. To ensure we maintain a highquality service, we may monitor or record telephone calls.

Balens will: • Confirm whether the event is insured • If necessary, arrange for a loss adjuster to contact you • Give you advice on how your claim will be dealt with and any excess you may have to pay.

In most cases you will need to complete a claim form. If Balens cannot settle immediately, your claim will be under the personal control of a nominated claims handler who will manage the whole claim and will act as your point of contact. Balens will give you regular progress reports and settle your claim as fairly and promptly as possible.

Do not admit liability, please refer to your policy document for full claims conditions. We have more information on our membership website www.beautyandhairdressing.co.uk in regard to ‘What to do in the Event of a Complaint or Claim?’ https://www.beautyandhairdressing.co.uk/dealing-therapyinsurance-claims.html

Can I carry out a Consultation virtually? What about patch tests ahead of treatments?

Online Consultations are fine. Patch tests should be posted out to the client, and the client would need to confirm in writing that they have done it and the therapist confirm there was no reaction during the consultation; a declaration from the client or similar is acceptable.

Ideally, this conversion would take place via Skype, Zoom or similar so that the therapist can confirm with their own eyes there is not issue.

ABT’s policy wording states: “The record should include evidence of patch testing where applicable.”

Salons / mobile professionals should only perform treatments that they feel safe and qualified to perform.

If there are reasons during a consultation that they feel the treatment should not go ahead, then they should not continue.

What do I do if someone makes an allegation or claim against me?

Report it immediately to us and follow the claims procedure. ABT and Balens will support you in the ‘normal way’ by getting all relevant information together for insurers. Do not admit liability and please refer to your policy document for full claims conditions.

Can ABT provide guidance on H & S considerations?

Many of you are asking, if the policy will contain any new conditions that you will need to observe for treating/instructing clients, ie using PPE etc. At this present moment in time, we are not thinking about amending the policy to include conditions about practice protocols. If this situation changes, we will notify you accordingly. Please continue to observe all other terms and condition of cover however, and also government guidelines as instructed on www.gov.uk The situation is an evolving one and as lockdown reduces and the “phased” return to work approach expands, we will be constantly monitoring and reviewing the situation and updating our members through our websites, social media and emails.

If a customer gets COVID-19 and blames the salon, will our insurance cover us?

Provided people are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder in the same way as for alleged injuries arising from a treatment.

This information is advisory and has been produced to assist members, and is by no means exhaustive. You do not need to adhere to all the points within to be insured provided you are operating legally in line with Government and local authority guidelines, the policy will respond to allegations of negligence against the policyholder. The information is based upon opinion, expertise and public knowledge in addition to UK Government guidance (gov.uk), issued 10.7.20. Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance. This information does not constitute legal requirement. ABT do not incur any liability for this information.

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Useful Resources Government Information Please check your regional government website for the latest updates and ensure that you are complying with government guidance.

UK Government www.gov.uk/coronavirus Support for businesses and employers during coronavirus (COVID-19) www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support General guidance for employees during coronavirus (COVID-19) www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-and-supportfor-employees-duringcoronavirus-covid-19 Scottish Parliament www.gov.scot Welsh Government www.gov.wales Northern Ireland Assembly www.niassembly.gov.uk

ABT Membership Updates By checking with these websites regularly you will be kept informed with current situations and will be provided with useful articles which are updated daily on the beauty and hair industry.

ABT COVID-19 www.abtinsurance.co.uk/covid19.html

Insurance Information If you need further information on updates from ABT in regards to COVID-19, taking out or renewing insurance policies or policy documentation including terms and conditions, then please see the below resources.:

ABT Insurance – COVID-19 Update www.abtinsurance.co.uk/covid19.html

ABT Insurance

Beauty and Hairdressing ABT’s membership website for daily updates on education, product launches and guides to navigate through this time as well as access to our bi-monthly membership magazine available to read for free online.

www.abtinsurance.co.uk/

Balens www.balens.co.uk/

www.beautyandhairdressing.co.uk/

Business Support ABT Social Media Below are the links to our social media channels, we ask you to follow at least one of these channels so that we can keep all our members up to date with the latest industry news this includes providing key information regarding ABT.

Instagram www.instagram.com/abtinsurance/

Facebook www.facebook.com/AssociatedBeautyInsurance/

Twitter twitter.com/abt_insurance

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There are various support schemes and resources out there to help you through this difficult time and we have gathered some helpful links and information below.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, employers are able to furlough employees who are unable to work or only work part-time due to COVID-19 restrictions with the Government paying up to 80% of an employee’s regular wages, up to a monthly cap of £2,500.

The percentage of Government contribution will change from the end of July, with the scheme running until the end of October. Find out more online. www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Find the correct coronavirus financial support and advice for your business www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

Paying your employees https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-throughthe-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Paying sick pay www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-back-statutory-sick-paypaid-to-employees-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19

ABT E-Newsletters and Email Communications Please make sure you have marked ABT emails as acceptable for your inbox to avoid missing important information about your policy, guidelines surrounding COVID-19 and updates regarding the industry.

Email addresses to look out for are

Paying Tax

@abtinsurance.co.uk

Deferral of VAT payments due to COVID-19

@beautyandhairdressing.co.uk

www.gov.uk/guidance/deferral-of-vat-payments-due-tocoronavirus-covid-19

Please note ABT will never send you an email asking for payment or card details, please take note that this could be a scam and we ask if you are unsure to please call the office on 01789 773573.

Deferral of Self- Assessment payments due to COVID-19 www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill Business rates relief – England www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-your-retail-hospitalityor-leisure-business-is-eligible-for-business-rates-reliefdue-to-coronavirus-covid-19

Business rates relief – Northern Ireland www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/ businessrates-holiday-ni-only

Business rates relief – Scotland www.mygov.scot/non-domestic-rates-coronavirus

Business rates relief – Wales www.businesswales.gov.wales/business-rates-relief-inwales#tabs-2

Business support grant funds – England Check if you are eligible for the coronavirus Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-youre-eligible-for-thecoronavirus-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-grant-fund

Universal Credit If you have less or no work due to COVID-19 restrictions, you may qualify for Universal Credit. Payment is based on your actual earnings. You can apply for Universal Credit whether you are employed and have lost your job (and your employer has not furloughed you), or if you are self-employed.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme If you’re self-employed and your business has been affected by COVID-19, you may qualify for the SelfEmployment Income Support Scheme. The first phase of the scheme entitles you to apply for a taxable grant worth 80% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £7,500 in total. Claims for phase one must be made on or before 13th July 2020. The second phase of the scheme offers a final grant in August capped at £6,570.

Check if you are eligible for the coronavirus Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-localauthority-discretionary-grants-fund

This scheme is only applicable to self-employed individuals who are not directors of limited companies.

Business support – Northern Ireland

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/business-support/coronavirus Business support – Scotland www.mygov.scot/non-domesticratescoronavirus/#grants

Business support – Wales www.businesswales.gov.wales/covid-19-grants

HMRC will contact you if you are eligible for the scheme and invite you to apply online.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £5 million.

The government guarantees 80% of the finance and pays interest and any fees for the first 12 months.

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Useful Resources Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)

Support for small and medium-sized businesses

The Bounce Back Loan Scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow up to 25% of their turnover between £2,000 and £50,000.

Loans are paid by banks and high street lenders, guaranteed by the Government, and at a 0% interest for the first 12 months.

Apply for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan:

www.gov.uk/guidance/future-fund

www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirusbounce-back-loan

Apply for a coronavirus Bounce Back Loan

Assistance for the Self Employed www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-thecoronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-incomesupport-scheme This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. This may be extended if needed.

Who Can Apply You can apply if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you:

www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirusbusiness-interruption-loan-scheme

Apply for the coronavirus Future Fund

www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirus-bounceback-loan Further Education and Guidance for reopening after COVID-19

If you have not submitted your Income Tax SelfAssessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19, you must do this by 23 April 2020.

HMRC will use data on 2018-19 returns already submitted to identify those eligible and will risk assess any late returns filed before the 23 April 2020 deadline in the usual way.

How Much You’ll Get

• have submitted your Income Tax Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19 • traded in the tax year 2019-20 • are trading when you apply, or would be except for COVID-19 • intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020-21 • have lost trading/partnership trading profits due to COVID-19 Your self-employed trading profits must also be less than £50,000 and more than half of your income come from self-employment. This is determined by at least one of the following conditions being true:

You’ll get a taxable grant which will be 80% of the average profits from the tax years (where applicable):

• having trading profits/partnership trading profits in 2018-19 of less than £50,000 and these profits constitute more than half of your total taxable income

We’ll pay the grant directly into your bank account, in one instalment.

•

HMRC will contact you if you are eligible for the scheme and invite you to apply online.

having average trading profits in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 of less than £50,000 and these profits constitute more than half of your average taxable income in the same period

If you started trading between 2016-19, HMRC will only use those years for which you filed a Self-Assessment tax return.

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• 2016 to 2017 • 2017 to 2018 • 2018 to 2019 To work out the average HMRC will add together the total trading profit for the 3 tax years (where applicable) then divide by 3 (where applicable), and use this to calculate a monthly amount.

It will be up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for 3 months.

How to Apply

Individuals do not need to contact HMRC now and doing so will only delay the urgent work being undertaken to introduce the scheme.

You will access this scheme only through GOV.UK. If someone texts, calls or emails claiming to be from HMRC, saying that you can claim financial help or are owed a tax refund, and asks you to click on a link or to give information such as your name, credit card or bank details, it is a scam.

Further Education & Guidance for reopening after COVID-19 Education Dermalogica have developed a new online class to learn about Dermalogica’s 12 key principles for enhanced service safety as well as some best practices to implement in your business. After testing your knowledge and making a pledge to uphold these principles, you will earn your Dermalogica Clean Touch Certification and receive a detailed guide as reference. www.dermalogicalearning.com/gpess-login-select/ In addition, Dermalogica are publishing free ‘Back in Touch’ videos: bit.ly/3eibkSS

BARBICIDE

®

Barbicide has developed a free certification course that covers infection control showing your clients that you are educated in delivering a safe space and service for them and your staff. ®

barbicide.com/certification/

Posters & Signs for Your Premises Not only to print off and use, but also useful to read and educate or certain protocols surrounding prevention and cleanliness:

World Health Organisation (WHO) www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/ www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novelcoronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

ABT & Beauty and Hairdressing ABT, along with our membership website Beauty and Hairdressing, will be providing generic signage that you can download for free and use from home, mobile or salon to tie in with salon branding. We understand that you might not want your beautifully created salon to look clinical so have different colourways of useful signs.

Engage with clients and let them know you’re reopening If you are looking at ways to re-engage with your clients and let them know that your salon or home and mobile services are reopening in line with government guidelines, it’s time to get them as excited as you are, so these industry specific resources could give you some helpful hints and tips to be ahead of the rest.

Here are some resources that may be useful: Facebook Social media platform Facebook have put together a useful guide specifically for salons and spas reopening during COVID-19. Access it at: www.facebook.com/business/boost/resource/ salonandspa?lead_source=business-resource-hub Organic Colour Systems Hair experts Organic Colour Systems have put together social posts and captions that their customers can use on return to the salon. They hope that these will help their customers engage with their clients, and give them one less thing to do once they are back and busy, busy, busy! Access them at: www.organiccoloursystems.com/social-mediasupport/

www.beautyandhairdressing.co.uk

Instant Print Instant print is an online printing company that have created signage for our industry. Their templates may provide you with the signage you were looking for in your salon and beauty rooms. www.instantprint.co.uk/coronavirus-safety-signs/ beauty-gyms-and-leisure

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