As the lockdown slows down, businesses around the world have started reopening. Unlike other business sectors, hospitality businesses were unable to set a virtual setup. Since one-on-one interaction is imperative in this field, providing online services was impossible. The same was the case with salons and spas.
However, some salons provided virtual training to keep their business running. Online sessions for pedicure, massage therapies, and waxing at home helped salon owners meet the expense of their business. Now, as the world has started to reopen, the spas and hospitality sector has geared up with the new requirements of the post-pandemic world.
Let us shed light on some insights of the reopening and resetting of the spas and hospitality after lockdown:
Hospitality
1. Essential Hygiene Practices in China
China, the birthplace of the contagion, has started reopening pubs and restaurants gradually. However, strict precautionary measures are mandatory. Besides wearing masks and face shields, waiting areas and facilities like swimming pools and gyms are closed.
In addition, cleanliness and sanitization of every room, along with temperature checks at the entrance, is mandatory. Some hotels have even closed the common dining halls and made separate food arrangements in every room.
The chain of Hilton hotels in China has also resumed operations. However, they have mentioned a set of rules for getting a booking. These rules include mandatory testing on arrival and living in a government facility for 2-3 days.
2. Advance Booking in Germany
Though many kiosks, cafes, and restaurants have reopened in Germany, pubs and clubs are still closed. As per the new guidelines, people from different households are not allowed to share a table. However, others can sit at a distance of at least 2 m. Besides this, the buffet service is also closed. Customers are required to book the tables in advance and provide complete contact details.
3. Unsettled Situation in the Americas
No matter which city we talk about, America’s hospitality system is in a perplexing situation. Though some hotels have reopened, others are still waiting for the state orders. Hotels are only offering services to the local market because international tourism is strictly banned in the region.
In Columbia, the bars, clubs, and some restaurants are still closed. However, a few restaurants are offering delivery service. Mexico is still unclear about the situation. The Federal Government has given different guidelines for different regions. One of the famous tourist regions named Quintana Roo is taking the lead in this matter.
4. Gradual Reopening in Many Countries
Some restaurants in the Baltic countries are open while others are still closed. A lot of hospitality services are waiting for the resume of international tourism. In Bulgaria, some guesthouses and small hotels are back to work. Some hotels are even offering a swimming pool facility. Besides this, individual outdoor activities are also permitted.
Greece is opening the businesses in three phases. In the first stage, basic shops and restaurants were opened, while in the second phase, playgrounds, sports facilities, and amusement parks were allowed. Hotels got opened in the very last stage, and now the country is fully back to its normal pace. However, precautionary measures are practiced in every sector.
Spas
Spas and salons are gradually coming back to normal. As per the owner of Respire Massage & Spa in Atlanta, salon business are not given much importance in tough financial times. However, it is an ideal way to de-stress the mind and get pampered. During the lockdown, salons were only earning through digital means. Even a small breakdown in internet connectivity has caused huge disruption and loss of fans.
Another beauty expert, Amy Ling Lin, shared how a problem with the coaxial cables affected her online pedicure classes. Now, as the lockdown has been eased in many countries, many spas are reopening with SOPs. Payment through cards, advance booking, wearing face masks, temperature checks, and distance seating are some mandatory rules that have been implemented in many salons.
Sunday Studio in New York has changed the arrangement by putting glass partitions at every pedicure station. Besides this, workers at the spa are also wearing a uniform, which they cannot take outside. Dermalogica, a well-known beauty brand having 20,000 salons around the globe, has created a detailed guide for safety precautions, including Clean Touch Certifications for the professionals working at the salon.
Another chain of skin clinics by Kate Somerville updated their equipment and furniture sets for better safety. Small equipment like scissors, hairbrushes, sponge, and others are sanitized after every use. Somerville stated that her business already maintains a high level of cleanliness. However, more focus will be kept for additional safety.
The owner is also inspired by the beauty sector of South Korea because of its commendable reopening process. She further added that the salon is paying special attention to stress-related skin issues such as breakouts and marks. Clients who were worried about skin problems and looking at their faces in virtual meetings need special treatment.
Massage Centers and Spas
Respire Massage and Spa, which is a big name in Atlanta, also reopened with complete CDC guidelines. The massage center has changed the scheduling time for clients. Clients are now booked 30 minutes apart, instead of 15 minutes. In this way, complete sanitization can be practiced after every client. Additionally, clients leave before other clients arrive, thus maintaining social distancing.
Similarly, new guidelines for safe massage treatment are in practice. Practitioners are wearing gloves, tables are covered with waterproof mats, a face mask is compulsory, and handwashing is frequent. Massage center owners also highlighted the increased demand for Reiki, sauna treatments, and hot oil massage therapies as people went through a long period of stress.
Waxing and Hair Removal
Waxing service is still offered in every salon. However, areas that require the removal of face mask are prohibited. For instance, chin hair removal, upper lips waxing, face waxing, etc. For other services related to hair removal, a separate room for each client is maintained.
Conclusion
In short, hospitality and spas are following all key guidelines to provide complete safety. From sanitization and advance booking to seating distance and thorough cleanliness, every precautionary measure is in practice. No matter which part of the world we talk about, rearrangement and rescheduling are in practice for working smoothly in a post-pandemic environment.
