Facial treatments can finally resume from tomorrow in England

Facial treatments will finally be allowed to resume in England from tomorrow (Saturday, 15 August).

Last night (13 August) the Government announced that the plan set out in the "roadmap to recovery", which was paused for two weeks, will resume from Saturday, 15 August in England – except for specific areas where local restrictions are in place.

The specific areas where local measures are currently in place include: City of Manchester; Trafford; Stockport; Oldham, Bury, Wigan, Bolton, Tameside, Rochdale, Salford, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Preston, Rossendale, Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.

An advance statement seen by Aesthetic Medicine sister title Professional Beauty confirmed that, from Saturday, "Beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas and barbers across England will be able to offer all close contact services – including front of the face treatments such as eyebrow threading, eyelash treatments and facials from August 15 under new guidance."

All “close contact” services that involve work directly in front of the face will now be available to patients.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma will say on Friday: “From Saturday, salons, spas and other close contact services across England will once again be able to offer all services in a way that is safe for workers and clients.

“I am pleased to give these often small, independent businesses a much-needed boost as we progress with our plan to kickstart the economy to protect jobs and incomes.

“Opening up the economy is conditional on our continued success at controlling the spread of coronavirus. Therefore it remains essential businesses comply with covid-19 secure measures to protect workers and the public."

The Government will continue to review these measures, which are based upon the latest infection rates, and guidance from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

A series of new enforcement measures will also be announced to target the serious breaches of social distancing restrictions, including fines up to a maximum of £3,200 for people who repeatedly break face-covering rules.