Coronavirus: China’s hair salons and barbershops suffering amid temporary closures and customers staying away

Most barbershops in China are temporarily shut to avoid public gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak

Just 130 Beijing barbershops were allowed to open by Monday, only a tiny fraction of the more than 20,000 that usually operate across the city

Reading Time:2 minutes

Fancy a haircut? If you’re in China, that may prove tricky, as the ongoing coronavirus crisis means most barbershops and salons are closed to avoid public gatherings. Photo: AP

Published: 9:00pm, 27 Feb 2020Updated: 9:00pm, 27 Feb 2020

Need a trim in Beijing? You might have to wait.

Even getting a haircut has become a challenge in China now that most barbershops are temporarily shut to avoid public gatherings amid the virus outbreak.

Customers must maintain a distance of no less than 1.5 metres (5ft) between chairs – that is, if they manage to make an appointment. Barbershops have to call customers who made reservations on the day of their appointment to ask if they have a cough or a fever, symptoms of pneumonia caused by the virus that causes Covid-19, according to information on the website of the Beijing Hairdressing and Beauty Association.

“Now we try to wash hair faster and cancel unnecessary services so as to cut down on the time with customers,” said Fu Jun, founder of JF Pro Salon. “We keep the door open every day. Once the customers who made reservations arrive, we will disinfect their hands and shoe soles. These are the measures we take to ensure safety.”

A barber wearing a protective face mask cuts a clients hair with an eye cover and face mask at a hair salon in Beijing. Photo: AP

Just 130 Beijing barbershops were allowed to open by Monday, only a tiny fraction of the more than 20,000 that usually operate across Beijing, Fu said.

Of JF Pro Salon’s eight Beijing shops, four have been allowed to open since February 16.