Employees working at spas, salons, and tattoo parlours in the London-area will soon have to upgrade their personal protective equipment or possibly face a hefty fine.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit announced on Tuesday that it had updated the COVID-19 requirements for personal care service establishments in London and Middlesex County under a recently issued Section 22 Class Order.
As of Thursday, the staff at all local hair salons, barbershops, manicure/pedicure salons, aesthetician services, piercing services, tanning salons, spas, and tattoo studios will be required to wear a medical-grade procedural mask, such as a surgical mask, and a face shield when performing a service that requires a client to remove their own mask. The use of an N95 respirator is not required, according to the health unit.
“We continue to work with local operators in our efforts to limit further potential spread of COVID-19 while being mindful of the impact on their businesses,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, the medical officer of health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, in a news release. “As we learn more about the novel coronavirus, how it spreads and how it behaves, we are putting measures in place to protect the community and prevent the kind of outbreaks that have been seen in other parts of the province.”
The health unit also clarified the order on Tuesday and said steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools or bathhouses used by multiple people must be closed. Facilities that use isolation float or salt pools intended for one person can continue to operate, however.
Any employee who is unable to comply with the updated mandate is not permitted to have direct contact with clients. Employees who fail to comply with the orders could be fined up to $5,000 for each day the offence continues. Any business that fails to comply could also be fined up to $25,000.
The Second 22 Order, issued under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, was initially set to take effect for personal care services on Saturday. However, the health unit delayed its mandate to have further dialogue about reducing the impact on businesses and their operations.
Further details about the health unit's Section 22 order can be found by clicking here.