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Reopening: What We Know & the Answers We are Waiting On

Navigating the plethora of seemingly conflicting information can be challenging, confusing and emotionally taxing.

ABIC are on the ground obtaining the correct first-hand information in official government covid taskforce sessions, along with state and federal meetings, and consultation meetings with the most recognised formal organisations that represent small business and employees such as ACCI, COSBOA, FairWork and varying Ombudsmen.

In these meetings ABIC fight for the solutions and the requests of the industry, so that we can have a strong voice in shaping critical government decisions that affect every single person in the aesthetic and beauty industry today and in the future.

Please click on the links provided to find out what we currently know, and see the answers we are still waiting on.

If there is something that you want us to ask the government, simply send us an email to [email protected]

What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest NSW Roadmap to reopening?

NSW 70% ROADMAP

Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.
There will be revised guidance on isolation for close and casual contacts who are fully vaccinated, with details to be provided closer to the reopening date.

For people who are fully vaccinated:

Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons (*this includes beauty and aesthetics) can open with 1 person per 4sqm, capped at 5 clients per premises.
Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports. (*This means that masks will need to stay on for all beauty and aesthetic treatments)
Find this and more official information HERE

NSW 80% ROADMAP

Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage) can operate with one person per 4 sqm (uncapped). (*this includes beauty and aesthetics)

NSW FROM 1 DECEMBER 2021

On Wednesday 1 December 2021, the following settings will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status:
Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and massage can operate with one person per 2 sqm (*this includes beauty and aesthetics)
(This means that unvaccinated people can work in beauty and frequent beauty as clients/patrons)

Find this and more official information HERE

For further information about the Reopening NSW roadmap, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest REGIONAL NSW Roadmap to reopening?

REGIONAL NSW ROADMAP

The NSW 70% and 80% Roadmap requirements above apply to the whole of New South Wales, including regional.
There are parts of regional New South Wales which are currently open.
Individuals in those parts that are not vaccinated when the state reaches 70% vaccination target will lose their current freedoms if they are not vaccinated.
Travel from Metro NSW to Regional NSW will only commence when the 80% full vaccination target is achieved.

What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest Metro Melbourne Roadmap to reopening?

METRO MELBOURNE 70% ROADMAP

Hairdressing, beauty, personal care can open to the fully vaccinated indoors with the DQ4 requirement and a 5 patron cap

METRO MELBOURNE 80% ROADMAP

Hairdressing, beauty, personal care can open to the fully vaccinated indoors with the DQ4 requirement and a 150 patron cap

Find this and more information in this link HERE

What are requirements for beauty and aesthetics in latest REGIONAL VIC Roadmap to reopening?

REGIONAL VIC 80% OF 16+ WITH A SINGLE DOSE:

All beauty and personal care can open with a cap of 10 and the DQ4 requirement.
Masks can be removed by the patron for duration of service
In home services are permitted with separate entrance and exit to the home and must follow the density quotient requirements

REGIONAL VIC 70% OF 16+ FULLY VACCINATED:

All beauty and personal care can open if fully vaccinated with the indoor DQ4 requirements and a 30 cap for patrons.
Masks can be removed by the patron for duration of service
In home services permitted with a separate entrance and exit to the home and must follow the density quotient requirements

REGIONAL VIC 80% OF 16+ FULLY VACCINATED:

All beauty and personal care can open if fully vaccinated with the indoor DQ4 requirements and 150 cap for patrons.

Find this and more information in this link HERE

GENERAL INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO BOTH NSW AND VIC

How does government and the press refer to the beauty and aesthetic industry in its communications, press releases and roadmaps?

Beauty and aesthetics come under the government heading Personal Services. Personal Services covers the 4 sectors of the industry, which are:

Beauty Services – Examples; Nails, Brows, Lashes, Tanning, Waxing. Professionals such as Cert II & III qualified individuals.
Beauty Therapy - Examples; Facials, Massage, Spa Treatments. Professionals such as Diploma Beauty Therapy qualified individuals.
Dermal Therapy – Examples; Skin Needling, Treatments utilising Laser, RF, US and other similar modalities. Professionals such as Bachelor of Dermal Science, Health Science or similar, Adv Diploma Beauty Therapy qualified individuals.

*Please note that Bachelor qualified Dermal Clinicians may also fall under Unlisted Allied Heath depending on the clinical setting.

(Clinical setting may be determined by distinguishing if the environment and patients are sick, medically vulnerable or elderly and being treated in the appropriate treatment settings, such a hospital or a medical practice, or; If they healthy and well individuals that are being treated in a private setting for non-essential cosmetic reasons.)

4. Medical Aesthetic – Examples; Cosmetic Injectables, PRP, Mono-threads. Professionals such as Registered or Enrolled Nurses (Cosmetic Nurses).

These services are considered non-essential when performed for cosmetic purposes, yet they may also fall under essential medical depending on the clinical setting.

(See above for clinical setting considerations)

When Government refer to specific parts of the beauty industry in their communication, it typically includes the entire beauty and aesthetic industry.

For example, the beauty industry is sometimes referred to as “nails salons” in press releases. While this is frustrating, typically this includes all of beauty and aesthetics.

There are exceptions to this on occasion, however they are rare.

Currently mandated vaccinations are not applicable for non-essential retail staff and customers, does that mean that the same can be applied to the aesthetic and beauty industry?

No, at this stage NSW and VIC government have advised in their Roadmaps that beauty and aesthetics will come under a soon to be released Public Health Order, which stipulates that in order to return to work when the states reach the 70% fully vaccinated rate, practitioners and clients must be fully vaccinated.

What is the difference between a mandate and a public health order?

They are both types of laws and they are equally legally binding on the public and enforceable by the government, which means that both need to be followed.

The information that we have at this stage indicates that only certain professions will have long term or permanent mandates put in place. These are industries such as healthcare, aged care and freight.

Our current understanding is that beauty and aesthetics will fall under the upcoming public health orders (PHO) which should only be in place for a certain period of time, and NOT the permanent mandates. This means that when the PHO ends, so do the conditions within the order.

Therefore, this could mean that the vaccination requirement for workers in our industry will only last for the duration of the PHO.

Remember, that everything is subject to change.

Will there be any legal or discrimination protections for business owners with regards to asking that staff be fully vaccinated in order to return to work?

Yes, there will be new protections that will be released in the upcoming weeks to ensure that business owners are not legally liable for this responsibility, as it is an order from the government.

Why is there an allowable cap of 20 patrons in a gym class, as opposed to a 5 patron cap for beauty and aesthetic services?

The reasoning put forward by Fiona Dewar in a government taskforce meeting, in which ABIC was able to speak was, that the time spent with each patron was extensive and the close proximity to patrons was an issue.

ABIC put forward an argument and a case for consideration based on the following:

Average treatment time for a beauty service being 30 minutes, and the average gym class being 40 minutes.

Infection control standards, PPE and safety measures are inherent in every beauty qualification. In addition to 80% of beauty & aesthetics operating in single treatments rooms which are sanitized after each patron.

This is a general concern regarding the misunderstanding of the communities need for our industry, its safety and infection control measures and standards, and lack of consultation us.

Will employee disaster payments continue after we reopen?

Currently this information is being refined and finalised, but the information has been released indicates that payments will cease shortly after reopening for employees.

How will vaccinated people be identified?

The government COVID QR app will be able to be linked to Medicare, therefore your vaccination status will be able to be displayed via the QR app.

If you have any additional information that you would like us to know, any questions about this material, or any understandings that conflict with this information please email us on [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: This interpretation of information is based on our current understanding (at the time of writing this article) of the advice from government. Please always refer to, official government sources and communication and obtain legal advice and/or interpretation specific to your situation, employment or business.

QUESTIONS FOR WHICH WE ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING ANSWERS:

Rapid Antigen Testing for risk mitigation is only available in 8 professions in Australia, it should be made available to more industries, given the close proximity nature of our work can the personal services category have access to this type of testing?
What are the liability issues regarding non-vaccinated workers and customers that infect vaccinated people in your place of business?
Private health insurance - Will policies include cover for non-vaccinated people?
We need clearer directions on how to deal with all orders, mandates and regulations that are released from government. When will we have more clarity on these matters?
Are the current health measures legally enforceable at the moment or do they require additional legislation to cover businesses?
There are concerns regarding abuse and verbal altercations from clients and staff over vaccine mandates, will business get financial support for added security costs?
There is currently disjointed and confusing communications from government, conflicting information and it often not up to date on government websites. Can we have a dedicated information portal and an email sign up for automatic updates?
In industries with younger workers - 70% of people under 35 may not have had access to vaccination (if they choose it) by the time of reopening, what provisions are being made for this?
Reopening and getting back to normal workflow and cashflow will be slow as our workforce has almost halved due to extended lockdowns. Business need cashflow support, will more be available soon?
Training and reskilling – Professionals have our industry, we need grants and programs for training to reskill and upskill people. Will this be considered?
What plans are in place to stimulate the economy and our industry in particular, can beauty and aesthetics have access to the “government stimulus vouchers” for clients, to boost the cashflow in our industry?
Businesses may require financial and business advice as a result of being in closure due to COVID lockdowns, will there be government funding for this?
Businesses need specific and complete guidance regarding how to assist, negotiate and communicate with staff that decide not to become vaccinated, when will this be released?
We require more certainty around the timeframes for the PHO – how long will the order that requires the Personal Services professionals to be fully vaccinated in order to work be in place?