Wearing PPE kits can be cumbersome, but customers feel safe when they find us following all the safety norms, say salon staffs

Now that the lockdown has been eased a bit, city salons have opened doors for customers with every precaution needed to restrict the transmission of coronavirus. Parlour staffs are taking all the safety measures in maintaining hygiene and regular disinfection of the premises. Though working in PPE suits for long hours can be difficult and cumbersome, salon workers are ready to adjust to this new normal keeping the health risks in mind. Clients are being allowed only by prior appointments and the staffs are trying to maintain social distance as much as possible to make them feel comfortable. Temperature checks and applying hand sanitisers are mandatory for everyone before entering the salon. We spoke to a few salon staffs and customers about their experiences…


Keeping in mind the safety of the customers as well as the staff members, wearing a PPE kit is of utmost importance now. Although we are facing a lot of challenges while working in a PPE suit all day, we can’t complain. PPE kits are so uncomfortable that you can’t even breathe properly. However, with time, we are getting used to it. Wearing a PPE kit is mandatory, as it is difficult to maintain social distance when I am giving a haircut, threading or waxing. Unless absolutely necessary, we are not letting our customers remove their masks. Also, our shaving services for men are suspended as of now to maintain social distance.



It’s been a week that we have reopened. And I am glad to be back at work after so many days. So, no matter what the challenge is, I am ready to face it. The initial two days were very difficult as we were not used to wearing PPE kits. Even though our salon is fully air-conditioned, these PPE kits make you feel uncomfortable and don’t let you breathe properly. Also, whenever we need to go to the washroom or even have lunch, we have to open the kit and sanitise it properly before wearing it again. However, we are getting used to this process. The few customers who are dropping by now, are feeling safe when they find us wearing PPE kits and following other safety norms.



This is one business that makes social distancing impossible. So, we need to be extra careful. We wear PPE kits while working but it is not always comfortable, but safety of my colleagues and our customers is priority now. We are trying our best to follow all the guidelines while pampering our clients. I am happy to be back at work, but I never thought that we would ever experience a situation like this. We feel happy when our customers feel safe.



Since I am mostly into hair styling, I need to move around swiftly to get my tools, hairdryer and other things. But wearing a PPE kit makes the moving around difficult. PPE kits are very suffocating and make you sweat a lot. So, at times, I wear a fully covered apron, a face shield, mask and gloves when I have back-to-back client appointments. We are taking best possible measures in order to maintain a safe working environment.




Recently, I visited a salon in the Lake Gardens area after over two and a half months. I had to get my hair spa, waxing and eye brows done. Initially, I was a bit sceptical about visiting the parlour, as we all know COVID-19 cases are on the rise. But I was quite surprised and happy to see the safety measures they have taken to treat their customers. Temperature check was done and I was given hand sanitiser before I entered the salon. I saw all the staff members wearing PPE kits. The manager informed that customers were not allowed to open their masks unless we were doing anything on our faces. Even the gloves they used to wash my hair were disposed of before attending to another client.
— Mouli Roy, 28, resident of Lake Gardens


When I called up my salon at Salt Lake, Sector V, to book an appointment for a haircut after almost 90 days, they informed me that I must buy a safety kit for an additional charge of `100. When I reached there, they sanitised my hands before letting me in. Thereafter, I was given my personal kit that had a disposable mask, a good quality apron, shoes and towel. The stylist was wearing a mask and gloves. Combs and scissors were sanitised in front of me and I was told they do that after every use. It was a unique experience. I felt absolutely safe and all my anxieties were taken care of.