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SEVERAL SHOPS INCREASE RATES

Barbershops, salons resume operations on Sunday



Several barbershops and salons reopened on Sunday amid the general community quarantine in Metro Manila.

According to Bernadette Reyes’ Sunday report on “24 Oras Weekend,” several barbershops and salons were forced to increase prices as they grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the government allowed them to resume business, only basic services such as haircuts and hairstyling can be offered to customers. Manicures and pedicures remain prohibited in areas under GCQ.

“Ang hair coloring dahil mga major services namin ‘yan, rebonding, keratin, hair and makeup, halos 80% noong aming kita, doon kinukuha. Baka puwede naman kaming pagbigyan tutal ang mga customer naman namin eh hindi naman siguro sila pupunta sa salon para magpaganda kung sila’y may mga nararamdaman, ‘di ba?,” Edwin Izurda, a salon owner, said.

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“Para lang pang-upa kasi ‘yong upa dito tuloy-tuloy naman,” a barber said.

Moreover, amid the new normal, barbershops and salons were required to follow strict safety protocols such as the mandatory wearing of face masks for customers and workers, wearing of personal protective equipment for workers, placement of footbaths at entrances, checking of body temperatures, frequent disinfection, and physical distancing.

However, some barbershops failed to comply with the guidelines due to the cost of these health protocols.

“Walang budget kasi kakaumpisa pa lang eh. Mahirap din magsimula na susundin ‘yong patakaran kaya social distancing na lang,” a barber said.

Earlier, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed the opening of barbershops and salons in GCQ areas, at 30%, starting June 7 as long as minimum health protocol standards are observed prior to opening.

“Earlier opening was reconsidered in recognition of the very strict health protocol that was developed, and to be adopted before they can be allowed to operate, to prevent any risk of COVID-19 transition as well as the need to start bringing back the jobs of the estimated 400,000 workers in the industry,” Lopez said. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News