We’re all in need of a decent haircut by now.

But according to the phased plan for reopening Irish businesses after the Covid-19 lockdown, hairdressers aren’t scheduled to get back to work until July 20th.

Now The Irish Hairdressers’ Federation (IHF) is calling for 25,000 salon workers to be permitted to return to work earlier.

The group, which represents 400 hair salons across the country, will present recommendations to Government this week, laying out 110 specific safety measures it believes will safeguard staff and customers alike.

Should hair salons be allowed to reopen sooner than July 20th if strict safety measures are in place?

— Yay Cork (@yaycork) May 25, 2020

Speaking on Morning Ireland, incoming President of the Irish Hairdressers Federation, Danielle Kennedy, said the recommendations will radically change how salon owners operate, with extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitisation procedures.

Ms Kennedy said the IHF is recommending that customers should be screened before their appointment to ensure they are not ill or have not returned from abroad recently. All staff would wear masks and appointments would be by prior booking only with no walk-ins allowed.

“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,” said Ms Kennedy.

“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.”