15/03/2020
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) named COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) a global pandemic, which is defined as when a new virus (such as SARS-CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes COVID-19/Coronavirus) for which people do not have immunity spreads beyond world expectations. While we already know social distancing and self-quarantine are our greatest chances at combatting the spread of the quickly evolving virus, we also know that for many, anxiety and loneliness are at an all-time high.
As an industry that prides itself on making clients look and feel their best but also comes into direct, close contact with the public, what can we do to make sure our clients feel at ease, our businesses don’t suffer, and most importantly, employees and guests alike remain healthy and safe? For starters, follow your local, state, and federal guidelines. Fortunately, for those not in a high-risk category, the disease is not fatal, and according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the risk for most of the U.S. is still low-to-medium. If your area is not yet hard-hit by the virus and you feel your spa has the option to remain open and function, there are precautions you can take to make sure business continues as usual.
“Don't be afraid,” says Denise Fuller, licensed esthetician and co-founder of the National Aesthetic Spa Network (NASNPRO). “Fear and stress decrease your immune system. Just be wise and take precautions.” Fuller suggests creating a checklist and having spa staff routinely disinfect the list of items throughout the day (while wearing single-use gloves each time) with an EPA-approved disinfectant. The list should include:
- Front desk
-Credit card machine, computer keyboards, phone, pens
- Doorknobs and door handles—be sure to clean both sides so clients enter and exit touching a clean surface
- Common area surfaces, racks, shelves
- Bathroom, including the toilet flush handle
- Equipment such as hot cabinets, steamers, magnifying lamps, inside nail dryers and drying lamps, the refrigerator, laundry machines, baskets, and garbage bins
- Bottles, including shampoo, hairspray, skincare, essential oils, massage creams, body exfoliants, and nail polishes, plus, clean shampoo bowls and disinfect the neck of the bowl after each client
- Hair, wax, and nail stations
- Esthetic and massage rooms
- Chairs and all seating areas
- Employee lockers and lunchroom
Excerpt from "How The Spa Industry Is Dealing With Coronavirus"
BY SAMANTHA REED
MAR 13, 2020 5:32PM
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, the spa industry is protecting both clients and business in a number of different ways.
