The Irish Spa Association has warned of irreparable devastation to the industry after the Government decision to close beauty salons and spas from Christmas Eve due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The association said the move is not justified and is poorly thought out, adding that there is no evidence of any type of outbreaks within spas or beauty salons in Ireland.
It said that all salons and spa owners in Ireland now insist on staff PPE, while hygiene at the facilities is "fastidious".
"Businesses, already struggling to operate under already stringent guidelines in the run up to Christmas, are often only able to operate at a 50-60% capacity due to the restrictions in place were then given notice on what would be the busiest trading day of the year to cancel appointments, notify staff and prepare their business for the possibility of another extended closure," it said.
The Irish Spa Association said it has requested an urgent meeting with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar so that further details on the impact on the beauty, spa and wellness sector can be presented.
It also said that putting salons and spas back into lockdown means a loss of employment for over 20,000 people as well as the very real possibility of black market, unregulated treatments happening in homes, which may present a much greater risk to the spread and transmission of Covid-19.
A substantial and simplified emergency grant support package based on drop-in business turnover is needed, the Irish Spa Association said.
Consideration also needs to be given to how these types of restrictions will fuel the black economy and encourage the public to take risks and visit uninsured and uncertified operators, it added.
"We implore the Government to reconsider the decision to close essential personal care services, we are not aware of any public health evidence or test and trace evidence to suggest this is a decision based on transmission within our sector," commented Peigin Crowley, the co-founder of the Irish Spa Association.
"This confirms the PPE measures and controlled environment we manage have been effective in preventing transmission of the virus," she added.
"The statistics tell us that the world is not facing a single pandemic with Covid-19, but several. The stress, obesity, mental health, economic and social pandemic is real. Please don't make the cure worse than the disease for us," Anita Murray, the co-founder of the Irish Spa Association, added.
