Hair salon owners in the Eastern Townships are overflowing with phone calls and instant messages as clients eagerly book appointments to tame their self-diagnosed quarantine hair.
After nearly three months in lockdown, hair salons and other personal-care services received the go-ahead from the Quebec government to resume business last week. Diane Plante says her salon hasn’t skipped a beat.
“It’s crazy, very crazy, everybody wants to come and everybody misses us,” said Plante, owner of Mundo Cabello Centre de Beauté. “They’re all so happy that they have an appointment and it’s real fun for us to be with them and take care of them.”
Mundo has been a staple in Sherbrooke for 21 years, according to Plante, but they are entering into uncharted territory. She explained that with a surge in appointments, she’ll be working from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., for at least the next three weeks.
While her salon was allowed to open its doors, they must follow strict health and safety guidelines. Clients and employees are required to wear a mask at all times. Her hairdressers also need to wear visors or goggles when dealing with clients.
With only three hairdressers, three aestheticians and three massage therapists on staff, employees have plenty of room to keep the required two-metre distance, Plante added. They also give a 15-minute buffer between appointments to clean the tools and chairs.
She said that so far none of her clients have shown any discomfort when entering the salon. They aren’t afraid of the situation at all, Plante continued. Clients trust the 53-year-old hairdresser, especially after they see the disinfecting process.
“My customers know me, they’ve known me for a long time, so when they see how we clean everything they are glad to see that and it makes them comfortable,” she said.
Protecting clients and employees remains top priority for hair salon owners
By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
