MUSCAT: After five months of closure due to coronavirus outbreak, barber shops across the country are allowed to reopen starting from Wednesday.

The Muscat Municipality has issued strict guidelines for barbers to follow while operating business.

Following are the guidelines that must be followed by barbershops:

1. People older than 60 years and under 12 years of age are not allowed to enter.
2. Not more than 2 customers (as per the size) can be allowed.
3. Social distancing should be practised and must avoid shaking hands.
4. Waiting inside the shop should not be allowed.
5. Barbers should wear PPE (personal protective equipment), face shield, mask and gloves.
6. Disposable aprons and disposable tools.
7. Scissors and other reusable tools should be sterilised for each person.
8. All shops should have sterilisation devices as per the standard specifications.
9. Workers must wash their hands with soap each time they serve a client.
10. Clothes used by workers should be washed hygienically.
11. If the shop provides facial cleaning services, an additional area of not less than four square metres should be provided in each shop.
12. All barber shops should have special containers for the disposal of sharp materials.
13. Customers should wear masks while they can partially remove the mask when receiving the services.
14. Shops should reduce dealing with banknotes and must use electronic payment.
15. Temperatures of staff must be checked before they enter the shop and after every 8 hours.
16. In beauty parlours, cosmetic services that require close contact between the customer and the staff — such as henna application or hair removal, the staff member must wear a face-mask and a use a shield.
17. Services such as threading for hair removal is prohibited, though using electronic machines, tools for these services is allowed. Customers must bring these electronic machine, tools, and towels for these services.
18. Providing customers tea or refreshments, and keeping magazines and newspapers in the waiting areas, are prohibited.