Spas, salons, and barbershops are closed under Level 3 of the province’s COVID-19 winter plan.
The more stringent measures went into effect on Friday, Jan. 14, and are expected to remain in place through Jan. 30.
Under Level 3, cosmetologists, including hairstylists, nail technicians, and make-up artists have had to close.
“It’s causing some great hardships for many of our members because they will be without an income for at least two weeks,” said Gaye Cail, executive director of the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick.
More of the more than 8,000 registered cosmetologists in New Brunswick own their businesses and many are sole practitioners, single parents, or sole income-earners for their families.
During a phone interview, Cail said it will be devastating for the industry if Level 3 measures surpass two weeks.
“I just don’t know what will happen to them, it’s going to be very hard to recover, especially trying to get your clients back and set up,” said Cail.
Members can seek funding from the federal government, however, most are excluded from the New Brunswick Small Business Recovery Grant because a business has to have at least two employees to qualify.
“We understand the situation in hospitals is dire, we get that, but we just want to be treated fairly, so if they don’t allow our salons to be open then there needs to be some compensation,” said Cail.
Cail mentioned cosmetologists have proven to the government throughout the pandemic they can safely serve customers and clients, so it does not make sense for the industry to be singled out while similar businesses are allowed to operate.
On Monday, Jan. 17, Cail held a virtual media conference addressing Level 3 measures.
During the conference, Cail mentioned the association sent a formal petition that outlines a clear message to Premier Blaine Higgs.
“Our petition calls on the provincial government to treat us fairly by correcting this oversight, and showing our safe and professional association of small business owners to continue on like so many other businesses.”
“It is unacceptable for our provincial government to simply brush off thousands of hardworking New Brunswickers who’ve followed every
rule and regulation to help beat this pandemic, without any medical or scientific evidence backing up the measures,” added Cail.
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