Tobago hairdressers, barbers delighted to earn money

KINNESHA GEORGE-HARRY

THERE was delight across Tobago on Monday as clients visited their preferred barbers shops and salons to get their hair cut or fixed in their favourite styles.

It has been just over two months since the Prime Minister deemed the industry non-essential and closed it as part of the restrictions to curb the spread of covid19.

Barbers, hairdressers and clients breathed a sigh of relief on Monday as phase four of the lifting of the covid19 restrictions began.

A number of salons remained closed on Monday as proprietors spent the day sanitising and cleaning their space and equipment, however at quite a few others, business was back but with some precautions in place.

Speaking with Newsday, the owner of Sharma Beauty Salon, Sharma Joefield, was overwhelmed to be back at her shop.

“I’m excited. I am looking forward to serving my clients.”

She added: “My clients were calling continuously… It’s good to know that I was missed.”

Joefield said the last two months of closure have been extremely difficult for her and on her finances.

Asked what her was reaction to Dr Rowley’s announcement of their reopening on Saturday, she said: “It was a reprieve. It was a comfort. It was a hope that you can go back to making money and doing this without having that level of restriction.

"How that won’t feel good, boy, going back out in the world of work and grinding making your own money and not being dependent.”

Another hairdresser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said being closed for two months was a tremendous strain financially and has left her in debt.

“This period has been quite a test in itself, so much so that I’m still having to deal with a backlog on my bills as some of these service providers aren’t as understanding as I would have hoped,” she said.

The social grants, she said, have not been getting to those most in need. She said she has applied for relief grants but has received nothing.

Barber Anthony King resumed business on Monday but was operating strictly by appointment, as he is taking all necessary precautions to ensure that there is no contraction of covid19 at his shop.

“Basically, I am adhering to all the guidelines; don’t do any crowds and I am doing one person at a time, the most person that would be inside here at any given time would be three.”

He said the news of the reopening of the industry in this phase was all he wanted to hear.

“Actually, when I heard the announcement from the Prime Minister, I was happy. I was like a student hearing it's back-to-school time especially when you know you have your new uniform and new shoes … Very happy I would say,” he said

“Polly” at VVIP barbershop was excited to be back but said it would be impractical to trim someone wearing a mask.

He said, “It feels great to be back here to be quite honest. For today, business has been just fair, I don’t expect a rush until about Friday or thereabout. I have implemented the no mask, no service, but a client cannot trim with a mask on, it’s very impossible.”