Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to issue guidance to hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons on closing as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

In order to further reduce the spread of the virus, on Friday 20 March, the Government told all businesses and venues in which activity necessitates prolonged social contact to close. This decision reflected clinical advice that the spread of infection is likely where people are in close contact for more than 15 minutes.

On 23 March, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced increased measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business that should close immediately, and this included hairdressers, beauty and nail salons.

Business owners and employees are encouraged to check https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest guidance and support available.