When Will U.K. Hairdressers and Salons Re-open?

The U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is insisting that the COVID-19 lockdown will continue but many in Britain are still wondering when normality will return.

Hairdressers and salons were among those who have closed their doors since the lockdown was announced on March 23, with many left to cut their own hair at home.

Not everybody has been pleased with the results and are keen to get a professional back in charge.

So when will hairdressers and salons re-open again?

Across Europe, Denmark, Switzerland and Norway are among those where hairdressers have already reopened as lockdown measures were eased as part of the first phase.

However, there is no definitive answer yet on when hairdressers in the U.K. could be allowed to reopen.

Estimates from government sources have told various news outlets everything between "a few weeks" to "six months".

There are even reports of so-called "bootleg beauticians" who are offering illicit haircuts against government rules.

Much will depend on what kind of a phased approach the government takes to lifting the lockdown, though judging by other European countries, they could be re-opened as part of the first phase of a traffic light system that sees a gradual reopening of non-essential shops.

The next review of the lockdown is scheduled to take place in the U.K. on May 7, however with ministers keen to avoid a second spike in the rate of cases and to protect the NHS, it could still be a while before they open.

Alena who works at Windle London, says they are contacting customers on a daily basis to keep them informed of the latest developments and, rather than canceling appointments, have postponed as many as possible.

She said: "The customers are desperate to know when it will reopen.

"The situation is worse for men because for them, they cut their hair shorter and they have to come back every three to four weeks.

"For women, the main issue seems to be with coloring their hair.

"We obviously don't want to be the reason why this virus spreads again, we'd like to open as soon as it's safe to do so.

"We won't try to get the shop full, but with safe social distancing, we hope to reopen."

Meanwhile, the hashtags #CovidCut and #LockdownHaircut have gone viral on social media, with some hairdressers taking to offering online video tutorials after being sent pictures and being asked for help and tips from clients.

Edward, from Morgan Edward Salons in Llandeilo in Wales, said he decided to offer tutorial videos offering help for people so they can cut their hair at home after discovering a number of men had just shaved their entire heads.

He told Newsweek: "I thought to myself there has to be a better way than this, every man will look the same, so I started off posting tutorial videos to do a basic haircut."

Edward said: "We've been contacted by so many people, women for example, who think "what do I do?", we've had blonde home coloring turning out orange.

"The ladies are worried about their roots with the grey coming through, we don't recommend home coloring, instead I've been advising people how to use root sprays which can tie them over during the lockdown.

"I've advised on what kind of color to choose.

"We're also advising people on how to carry out a fringe trim, most of our clients would come in every three to four weeks for one, the fringe is often the first thing people see, and if that goes wrong, it can get you into a real pickle."