10/03/2022

All of us have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It has been a strange couple of years, but I am pleased to be able to be working albeit in a slightly different manor.

I kindly ask that you read this document so you know what to expect for your next treatment.

My priority is to keep you as safe as possible, and prior to re-opening back in July 2020 I implemented a number of changes. During the time my business was closed, I completed the following courses specifically aimed at Coronavirus control;

•Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Prevention and Control course (accredited by the Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists Ltd, the UK trade body for our industry).

•Barbicide certification in Sanitation and Disinfection practices.

•Barbicide COVID-19 certification for the Professional Beauty Industry.

•Think Tree Education – Preparing to return to work in a Covid-19 world

•Think Tree Education – Risk Assessment checklist for returning to work in a Covid-19 environment

•Control of cross-infection in a post-Covid-19 world (accredited by Think Tree Education and The Federation of Holistic Therapists

Our Health

I will be monitoring my temperature and overall health daily to ensure I am safe to treat you.

If I test positive to Covid-19 I will self-isolate and cancel all appointments as necessary until I have a negative test. This may mean that I have to cancel your appointment at short notice. I appreciate that this may be inconvenient, and I apologise if this is the case, but it is done entirely for your own safety. If your appointment is cancelled, you will be able to re-book again when I am back at work having tested negative. I realise this is no longer a requirement, but I take both our health very seriously, and do not feel it is wise to be working in close contact if I have Covid-19.

If you, any of the people you live with, or someone you have recently come in to contact with begins to feel ill or displays any symptoms of Covid-19, or tests positive to Covid-19 – please contact me as soon as possible as we may need to CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENT. I have amended my cancellation policy to allow for such circumstances and the cancellation fee will not apply.

For your information, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are;

•High temperature (over 37.8C)

•A new or persistent dry cough

•Shortness of breath or chest pain

•Extreme fatigue

•A new or unexplained rash

•Loss of sense of smell or taste, or changes to your normal sense of smell/taste

•Muscular aches and pains (aside the usual you may be feeling without your regular massage appointment)

•Headache

•Sore throat or pain swallowing

•No symptoms at all (60% of cases)

Prior to your appointment

I will be sending out a specific consultation form related to Covid-19 (via email or text message) prior to your appointment that you will be required to complete using Google forms. This is to ensure I am aware of your general health at this time, and to establish if I think I can treat you safely. If you would prefer to complete the consultation over the phone, please get in touch to arrange a time to do so.

Your appointment time

I ask that you attend your appointment as close to the agreed time as possible. Please do not turn up early to your appointment as I may still be cleaning and disinfecting the shed. As you know I do not have a waiting area, so if you are early please wait in your car until your appointment time, unless you hear otherwise from me. As always, if you are running late please let me know as this may impact other appointments I have booked in after yours, and I may need to reschedule your appointment.

Cleaning

I have increased the frequency of cleaning throughout the day including making sure that common surfaces are wiped clean using disinfectant products between each client. I will be continuing with this for the time being.

You will also notice that I have a box for your shoes to go in and another for your belongings to go in, and this will be disinfected after every client. I ask that you don’t bring in any more personal belongings than necessary. I also ask that you don’t touch personal belongings, such as phones, throughout your treatment.

All tools and equipment will be disinfected or sterilised in line with the specific manufacturers’ instructions for your safety.

Wherever possible I will utilise environmentally-friendly items during a treatment, but there will be times that I sadly need to use single use materials due to hygiene and risk of cross-infection. All single use/disposable items will be disposed of safely after use in order to protect you from cross-infection. If you are having a manicure/pedicure, you will have your own nail file that I will keep in a labelled sandwich bag and sealed box, only to use on you.

I can confirm that the laundering of towels, sheets and my uniforms are a priority, and I can assure you that all laundry is washed at 60C. All laundry will be put into the laundry basket after use and removed at the end of each day.

Temperature

I will be taking your temperature with a non-contact thermometer before you enter the shed.

Note: Anything above 37.8C is considered a high temperature.

Hand washing & sanitising

I understand the importance of hand hygiene and I will ensure that I wash my hands in according with NHS recommendations before the start of your treatment, during (if necessary), and again at the end.

You will kindly be asked to wash your hands prior to your treatment. You are welcome to wash your hands or sanitise again before leaving, please just ask.

PPE

I will be wearing a face mask/covering, an apron, and nitrile gloves for your treatment, and I kindly ask that you also wear a face mask/covering for your appointment. I have disposable face masks available should you need one, but if you have your own then please wear it to your appointment, and for the duration of your appointment. Please ensure you wear a clean/fresh face mask if you are wearing your own.

I will replace my face mask/covering and gloves after each client with clean/new ones. The apron I will be wearing is to protect my uniform, which will also be cleaned with disinfectant after each client.

Ventilation

I will have the windows open at all times throughout the day to ensure there is fresh air flowing through, and whenever possible I will also have the door open (unless the weather doesn’t allow for this of course).

Number of people

I am only allowing 1 person in the shed with me at one time currently, so please bear this in mind when booking.

If you usually bring someone (who doesn’t drive), to their appointment I ask that you wait in the car for the duration of the appointment. Please contact me if you have any issues about this.

Toilet

As the toilet is in the home of my Mum and Step-Dad this will be out of bounds for the time being.

Please ensure you go to the toilet prior to your appointment for your own comfort. This measure is being taken for your safety as I cannot ensure that all common surfaces and the toilet itself will have been appropriately disinfected at all times. If you are desperate, I will allow you to use the toilet of course, but I will need to ensure everything is disinfected just beforehand.

Treatments

I have carried out a risk assessment on all treatments and I am confident that I can provide all of the treatments I offer safely (along with following the government guidelines);

•Waxing (including facial waxing – I kindly ask that you do not talk for the duration of your lip and/or chin wax)

•Eye treatments (please note a patch test will be required at least 24 hours prior to your tinting appointment – this applies to ALL clients even if you’ve had previous tints with me before)

•Manicures & Pedicures

•Massage (Including Aromatherapy) - without gloves

•Indian Head massage - without gloves

During your treatment

I will try to make your treatment as safe, comfortable and enjoyable as possible. If you have any concerns about your treatment(s) please let me know and I will do what I can to work with you. I appreciate the environment may not be as relaxing as usual as things will be a little more clinical, but please know that I will do my very best to ensure you get the most out of your treatment.

Payment

In order to avoid handling of cash, I would prefer if you could pay for your treatment by bank transfer, or card. I will happily send you my bank details if you wish to pay by bank transfer, and you do not already have my details. If you really wish to pay by cash, please present the correct money in a sealed envelope or sandwich bag to avoid the handling any money. I will, of course, wash my hands straight after handling of any money. My phone and card machine will also be cleaned after each use.

Refreshments/Water

If you wish to have some water or a drink after your treatment, please bring your own bottle/flask. I do have some disposable, biodegradable water cups, but if you could bring your own that would be great as it will save waste.

Gift Vouchers

If you have a gift voucher please state the number on the voucher when you book and I will mark it off and then you can discard of your voucher. All future gift vouchers will be emailed.

All of these procedures have been implemented for your safety and mine. I will update you if there are any changes to the above. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss anything I have mentioned.

Thank you for your understanding, and for your continued support.

Ness

Vanessa Withey Beauty & Holistic Therapist