The UK has returned to Tier 5 (the equivalent of South Africa’s Level 5) in an effort to contain the new variant of the Covid-19 virus that is causing a surge in cases, with predictions that hospitals will be overwhelmed in a couple of weeks if the spread continues.
The Tier 5 restrictions are likely to be in place until 15 February at the earliest. Salons, together with most other businesses, are closed under the new regulations and schools are also closed, with citizens instructed to stay home and shop only for essentials.
The new strain that has caused these added restrictions to be put into place, is estimated to be up to 50% more transmissible. However, at the same time, the UK has begun the vaccine rollout which will hopefully be the major step in defeating the virus and returning things to normality.
The South African Situation
There has been a surge in cases in South Africa due to a very similar, and more infectious, new variant of Covid-19, and although this has been mainly in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Kwazulu Natal, holidaymakers returning to Gauteng are likely to create a surge in this province in the coming weeks. The National Coronavirus Command Council is meeting today (Wednesday 6 January). This does not necessarily mean the country will move to a more severe lockdown level but it could mean additional precautions are put into place.
Until more information is known, we encourage salons to stay calm and positive, and keep very strict precautions in place within your businesses, and when you are out in public. If there are any changes to the current lockdown regulations that are relevant to the industry, Hairnews will announce them as soon as possible.
