Hairdressers on the Border have felt the blow of COVID-19, despite being one of the businesses that can continue to operate under government restrictions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A number of salons shut their doors when Prime Minister Scott Morrison imposed closures on beauticians on Wednesday, but allowed hairdressers and barbers to remain open with 30-minute appointments and social distancing.
Mr Morrison reversed his 30-minute rule within 24 hours, but confusion, slow business and concerns for staff meant many owner-operators stayed shut.
The last appointment at Do My Hair Wodonga on High Street took place on Thursday.
Owner Dallas Holt is assessing his options and hopes to offer appointments again sometime in the near future.
"Three weeks ago our turnover dropped by 25 per cent with cancellations and things like that, and we put in place all the procedures we needed to," he said.
"Then the week after we dropped another 25 per cent, so our takings were at half.
"I have unfortunately had to let some casuals go, because we didn't have the turnover, and with the restrictions that blew us away.
"This week I'm down to two staff and we're doing a full clean up of the place while we're shut and trying to assess where to take things from here."
The Barbers Bru, Boudoir Hairdressing, Lola Wigg Hair Cafe, Border Barber Wodonga and Zabuui Hair Designers Wodonga are among the businesses that are temporarily closed.
I have unfortunately had to let some casuals go, because we didn't have the turnover
- Do My Hair owner Dallas Holt
Some have decided to close to protect staff and to do their bit to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"This decision has been one of the most difficult to make and comes with a heavy heart, but we believe that it is our responsibility to the community and the health and safety of our clients, staff and family members that we shut our doors for now," was the message to clients on The Barbers Bru Facebook page on Saturday.
Mr Holt, who has run DMH for four years, said "90 per cent" of business owners in his industry were in the same boat.
"It's such an unknown," he said.
"It means hairdressers are going to be out of their jobs for months.
"Everyone I speak to in the industry doesn't know what to do.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"The virus is going to be around for a while, obviously - I've put a few ideas together.
"There's a shop next door that we could maybe use to spread things out a bit more.
"My landlord has been really good; we're having a talk weekly about where we are at.
"Hopefully all businesses can have conversations like that with their landlords."
The Australian Hairdressing Council's position is the federal government should shut down hairdressing and barbering.