IMPORTANT MEMBER UPDATE - November 24, 2020
NOVEMBER 24, 2020 - COVID-19 GUIDELINES      <--- click to view

 

Follow all Public Health Orders and the Association's Guidelines at all times.

https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/health-protection-act-order-by-the-medical-officer-of-health.pdf

https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/sector-specific-guidance/#plans

Possible COVID -19 exposure locations https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/alerts-notices/#possible-exposures

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced today November 24, 2020, new restrictions for Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and across the Province.

New restrictions will be effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2020 and will continue for two weeks until midnight December 9, 2020, with the possibility of extension.

At this time, all Salons and Spas will remain open but must restrict all services that require the removal of a face mask, such as facials, makeup, microdermabrasion, beard, and moustache trims, etc. These restrictions apply to personal services businesses such as hairdressing, esthetics, and nails. Salons in western and central HRM only can continue with the exception of procedures that cannot be performed while the patron is masked. In addition, all retail sale areas must be reduced to maximum 25% capacity.

Updated as of July 3, 2020.  All guidelines remain in effect except for November 24, 2020 restrictions above. 

July 3rd 2020 Guidelines (no longer valid - see Guidelines under November 24th update

COVID-19 - IMPORTANT UPDATE 
There is no denying that COVID-19 has presented this Country, and many others, with difficult challenges. This includes the Cosmetology Industry of Nova Scotia, among others.

As we learn and grow together, the Association continues to update the Guidelines with the intention of keeping our Members and the Public as safe as possible.

To maintain your safety, all salons and spas must follow the Provincial Nova Scotia Public Health Order (which can be found at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/working-during-covid-19/) and the Association’s COVID-19 Guidelines, as approved and endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert Strang.

Effective as of Friday, July 3, 2020
Changes to the Guidelines are below. The Guidelines can be found on the Association’s website and on the NS Government COVID-19 website at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia/prevention-plans/#sector-plans.

All other Guidelines remain unchanged.

AMENDMENTS
Restrictions on services such as beard trims, make-up applications, facials, facial waxing, threading or sugaring, etc. have been lifted, but come with mandatory rules.

When providing a service to the facial area:

• The service provider must wear a mask and a face shield.
• Clients must wear a mask when entering the salon or spa if they cannot social distance from other clients and services providers, before and after a service and if they are remaining in the salon or spa for additional services.
• All clients must be properly screened for COVID-19 (each time they visit a salon or spa), especially prior to the removal of a mask (by continuing to use the salon or spa’s COVID-19 tracing questionnaire and maintaining same for a minimum of 30 days).

https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/when-to-seek-help/#symptoms

• The client may remove their mask only for the allotted time of the face service, and only if the service provider feels it is safe for them to do so while providing the service.
• Masks and face shields must be worn and discarded or properly disinfected after each service.

https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/staying-healthy/ 

Continue to remain safe by following all COVID-19 protocols!

COVID-19 has not gone away; we are still under the threat of contamination. All cosmetologists must wear a mask while providing any cosmetology service on a client, to protect the client. Masks may be removed only when social distancing is maintained or when they are soiled or dirty.*

Clients must continue to wear a mask while in the salon or spa if they cannot maintain social distancing (following all other COVID-19 protocols), for the protection of your service providers and continue to help reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. However, there are individuals who may not be able to wear a mask, and accommodation can be made by the practitioner if the practitioner is willing and feels they are safe to provide the service on the client while maintaining social distancing from other clients and staff.

REMINDER: Everyone must continue to maintain social distancing (other than when you are providing one-on-one service to a client) following the Public Health Order for Businesses.

https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/working-during-covid-19/

*Removing a mask allows for the possible spread of COVID-19

Provincial Inspectors will monitor businesses for compliance with the Public Health Order and the Association Guidelines. 

Take care and stay safe!

Updated as of May 29, 2020
WONDERFUL NEWS!!

We have been working tirelessly around the clock to address the Membership’s concerns. Today we have great news to share!

As you know, the Nova Scotia Government’s current policy regarding group gatherings during this pandemic is as follows: “A gathering is any event that brings people together in a single space at the same time. Nova Scotians are not allowed to gather in groups of more than 5, unless their group has an exemption.”

We have just received clarification that we are now considered part of this exemption! The Cosmetology Association’s Guidelines will be revised to allow the following:
There will be no limit to the number of clients allowed in a personal services establishment. However, salons must adhere to the 10-person rule (client and staff person) if the physical size and layout of the salon is such that a physical distance of 2 meters (6 feet) between clients cannot be maintained.

Cameron DeBaie, the Board’s Executive Chair, went live today on our Private Members Only Facebook Group with this announcement and to answer questions from Members. The recorded version of this video can be replayed in the group. Please join if you have not already done so.

Stay tuned for more updates! Together, we're getting there!


Updated as of May 27, 2020

The Nova Scotia Government has just announced the reopening of businesses on June 5, 2020. 

Industry Guidelines have been approved. These guidelines will help Members prepare to reopen salons and offer services to the public once again. It will be up to all independent businesses, individual business owners, and cosmetologists to make decisions following Covid-19 rules and using these Guidelines to implement the best practices for your business, your clients, and your staff when reopening. There are many different business situations in this Industry. Some salons are small, with only one proprietor; some have a small number of employees, and some are larger with multiple employees. Please read these Guidelines in their entirety in order to decide which situation best fits your personal and business circumstances. 

APPROVED FINAL RETURN TO WORK GUIDELINES (No longer valid)

May 21, 2020 - COVID 19

Return to Work Guidelines & Round Table Discussion

Across Canada, we are changing the way we work to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Your Association has been working with Dr. Strang and his team, and Premier Stephen MacNeil to finalize Guidelines for the Cosmetology industry.

We submitted the Guidelines to Government mid-April and have recently completed edits. Edits may be ongoing as we get closer to reopening.

Today, the Association held an online Round Table discussion with over 1000 industry professionals to discuss how these Guidelines will be introduced and to answer questions from our Membership. 

Here is a link to the Round Table Discussion:

***Round Table Discussion