No new deaths for first time in over two months, hairdressers preparing for ‘safe’ early reopening

No further deaths have been reported due to coronavirus over the past 24 hours for the first time since early March.

The hugely welcome news came as just 59 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the Department of Health at its daily briefing.

The overall death toll as a result of the virus remains at 1,606. There are now 24,698 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country.

The first absence of Covid-19 fatalities were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team as it emerged that a group representing hairdressers will present details recommendations to Government this week in a bid to open salons earlier.

According to the Government’s roadmap for easing restrictions, hair and beauty salons and barbers are scheduled to reopen here on July 20.

However, the Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) believes they will enable them to reopen in a manner which is “safe to both staff and customers”.

The proposals are supported by several other organisations in the hair and beauty sector. It is expected the final document will include over 110 specific recommendations which will help keep salons safe from Covid-19.

Incoming President of the IHF Danielle Kennedy said: ”Foremost in our thoughts is the well-being of our staff and the safety of our customers.

“The recommendations will radically change how we do our business, which will see the extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitisation procedures.

”There are 25,000 people employed in our sector and we want to ensure they can come back to work safely.

“I have been talking to hundreds of hairdressers in the past few weeks and they can’t wait to get back to work because they love their job and they love their customers.

“Our customers come in, they talk with the staff, find out the local news and they all go home feeling great. It’s a vital local service, especially for the elderly.”

The IHF represents over 400 salon owners nationwide, who in turn employ over 5,000 stylists.