Re-opening Personal Service Settings

Effective February 16, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. the Province of Ontario is moving the Region of Waterloo into the Red–Control level of the Keeping Ontario Safe & Open Framework.. All Personal Service Settings may reopen at this time. Further details can be found in the COVID-19 Response Framework

Please note, there is no requirement for personal service settings to be inspected by Region of Waterloo Public Health before re-opening. After re-opening, regular inspections by Public Health inspectors will resume to ensure compliance with the Personal Services Setting Regulation 136/18, standards and COVID-19 prevention measures. Inspection results, including COVID-19 prevention measures will be posted on Check it! We inspect it.

All personal service business operators must operate their business in compliance with the recommendations and instruction provided by Public Health. 

On this page

• Red-Control Zone Requirements
• Additional Requirements
• Recommendations
• Best practices to keep everyone safe
• Employee health and screening
• Personal protective equipment for employees
• Promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Signs
• Customer screening and communication
• Measures to encourage physical distancing
• Workstations
• Providing services
• Laundry
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection
• Prevent COVID-19 outbreaks
• Monitoring
• Service specific guidelines
  • Hair salon and barber shops
  • Tattooing and body piercing
  • Nails and aesthetic services
• Applicable laws and regulations
• Additional resources

The following are requirements for owners/operators on how to operate according to the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open and Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act to reduce the risk that staff and clients contract COVID-19. Personal service settings include:

• hairstyling and barbering
• tattooing
• micropigmentation
• ear and body piercing
• electrolysis
• nail salons
• aesthetic services.

Red-Control Zone Requirements

Services prohibited at this time include:

• oxygen bars
• bath houses
• steam rooms
• saunas
• floating pools
• sensory deprivation pods (except for therapeutic purpose)
• Other adult venues
• services requiring removal of face coverings
• Personal Service Settings in Long Term Care and Retirement Homes

While Region of Waterloo is in Red – Control all person service settings must:

• Ensure the total number of patrons in the business or facility at one time does not exceed 75 per cent capacity while still being able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person
• A mask/face covering must be used by clients at all times. Services requiring the removal of face coverings are prohibited
• Stick-on facial masks with adhesive edges (also known as spa masks, self-adhesive masks, or no-strap/strapless face masks) may be used only if the following criteria are followed:
• The mask is to cover the nose, mouth and chin.
• Mask is to be sealed to the skin with the adhesive that runs along the inside edges of the mask.
• Placed on the clients face properly before entering the premise
• Service should be refused to clients if the mask is not secured to the face as per requirements
• If the adhesive becomes loose or comes off during the service, the service provider is to conduct a risk assessment.
• If physical distancing cannot be maintained it is recommended for the service provider to be wear appropriate PPE (mask and eye protection)
• Service provider to consider risks to staff and other patrons should the mask not stick to the client’s face properly during service
• Require contact information from all patrons
• Screen clients for COVID-19 symptoms when booking an appointment and before providing service
• Safety plan available upon request
• Change rooms and showers must be closed

Additional Requirements

• Screen employees using the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces before entering the facility each shift and prior to leaving their shift
• Questions can be completed on paper or verbally asked
• A record of screening must be maintained
• Staff must use a mask/face covering at all times while providing services
• Masks should be worn properly (covering nose, mouth and chin) and cleaned or discarded appropriately. Masks should be changed when they become damp or soiled. For more information, review When and How to Wear a Mask
• Eye protection (face shield/goggles) should be worn by staff (in addition to a mask/face covering) when clients cannot tolerate wearing a mask/face covering and physical distancing or the use of a barrier/divider is not possible
• Provide a safety plan and have the plan  posted in a place where workers and patrons can see it and available upon request

Recommendations

Persons responsible for personal service settings, who choose to operate, should consider the following Public Health best practices to help minimize exposures to COVID-19 for clients and staff.

Personal service settings must comply with the Personal Services Setting Regulation 136/18, in addition to Ontario's Emergency Orders and guidance from Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services.

Business operators are required to operate in compliance with the recommendations of Public Health, under the Reopening Ontario Act (A Flexible Response to COVID-19).

Best practices to keep everyone safe

• Staff and clients must stay home when sick
• Practise physical distancing by keeping a 2 metre distance from others when possible
• Clients and staff must wear a face mask at all times when receiving personal care services
• Wash your hands often, and avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Employee health and screening

• Encourage staff to complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool before they leave for work, before every shift
• Stagger or adjust working hours for shifts and breaks to reduce the number of staff
• Have a flexible sick policy so staff do not attend while ill
• Remind employees about the importance of reporting illness to their supervisor/manager and to stay home when sick
• If employees become sick with COVID-19 symptoms while at work, they must go home right away to self-isolate and complete the COVID-19 self-assessment tool 
  

Personal protective equipment for employees

• Train staff on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including putting on and taking off gloves, masks/face coverings, face shields/goggles, and gowns, if worn
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and eye protection (face shield/goggles) are available on-site for staff at all times, to use as needed. Operators are required to provide and ensure there is adequate PPE for staff
• Reusable face shields/goggles are assigned to one staff, and cleaned and disinfected between each use
• Gloves are to be discarded after use.

• Hands must be washed with soap and water or sanitized with an alcohol based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) prior to and after glove use
• If staff use gloves, the gloves must be changed when changing tasks, after every client, or more often, as necessary
• Staff are not to share PPE

Promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette

• Educate employees on proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
• Ensure handwashing facilities are fully operational and stocked/replenished with hand soap and paper towels
• Wash hands frequently with liquid soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds, before entering the workplace, after receiving deliveries, before and after the handling of personal protective equipment, and after each contact with others
• Keep an extra supply of soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Cover cough or sneeze with the elbow or a tissue. Immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash hands.
• Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60 per cent alcohol concentration) in a dispenser for staff and clients to use

Signs

• Clearly post Face Covering By-Law signage at all entrances (as per Region of Waterloo by-law that requires face covering in enclosed spaces)
• Consider posting information about COVID-19 symptoms at the entrance to help patrons identify whether they have any symptoms and whether they should leave to self-isolate at home
• Use posters, signs, arrows, barriers, or other markings to promote physical distancing at the safe flow of people
• Display signs for How to Wash Your Hands and Help Stop the Spread of Germs at the entrance and throughout the premises
• Support and encourage Proper Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Customer screening and communication

• Communicate to clients the changes being made to protect them against COVID-19 by posting signs, updating information on your website, e-mail and other means of communication as necessary such as outgoing voicemail 
• Have all clients book appointments ahead of time as much as possible
• When booking, clients are advised that they must use a mask for the duration of their appointment
• Place signs at the entrance reminding clients not to enter if they have COVID-19 symptoms
• Have a flexible cancellation policy so clients do not attend while ill
• Provide disposable masks for clients who have not brought their own
• For clients that do not tolerate masks or when providing services on an area of the face that would otherwise be covered by a face mask, provide services to these individuals at the end of the day with no other clients present and maintain physical distancing as much as possible.

Measures to encourage physical distancing 

• Limit the number of clients and staff permitted on the premises to allow people to maintain 2 metres from others.
• Staff should practice social distancing during breaks
• Limit customer appointments to allow for adequate space for physical distancing.
• Discourage clients from bringing guests, including children
• Encourage clients to leave the setting immediately following service
• Post physical distancing signs at all entrances, by cashiers or service counters to remind clients of this requirement.
• Provide visible markers such as tape, stickers or safety cones every 2 metres for clients waiting outside or at the reception area
• Close waiting areas to the public. Notify clients of this at booking and with signs at the doors. Clients are instructed to wait outside of the premises until their scheduled appointment

Workstations

• Workstations and equipment in use are 2 metres, or equipped with barriers/dividers that are adequate in height to ensure the protection between clients and staff
• Consider installing plexiglass or other cleanable barriers where physical distancing of 2 metres is not possible between staff and clients, between workstations and at the checkout
• Alcohol based hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60 per cent alcohol concentration is available at each workstation, and staff and clients are encouraged to use it frequently
• Magazines, brochures, decors and other unnecessary items are removed.
• Workstations have their own products and tools, and are not shared between staff
• Staff should launder their clothing after each shift or wear a protective cover over clothing and launder after each shift.

Providing services

• Client food/beverages are not permitted
• Barriers/dividers are used when the two-metre distance cannot be maintained
• Ensure alcohol-based hand sanitizer is used before and after each cash transaction

Laundry

• Single-use items including towels are used where possible, and discarded immediately after each client
• Soiled towels and linens must be placed in a laundry bin for washing with hot water and detergent using a washing machine and dryer.
• Laundry baskets or reusable bags must be sanitized between uses and should not be used to store clean items if they have held dirty items. Clean items should can be stored in separate baskets or bags.

Enhanced cleaning and disinfection

• Cleaning, disinfecting and/or sterilization of items should continue as indicated in the Personal Services Setting Regulation 136/18. This includes tools, equipment, shampoo bowls, manicure tables, chairs, workstations, etc., and other products after every use.
• Remove magazines, service menus and other frequently touched items and soft/porous items such as cushions and rugs that are difficult to sanitize.
• Allow additional time between scheduling client services to allow for proper cleaning and disinfection of workstations and equipment.
• Ensure frequent cleaning and disinfecting of frequently-touched surfaces and common areas such as debit machines, door handles, counters, cabinet doors, faucets, toilet handles, handrails, touch screen surfaces and keypads.
• Where possible, use disposable, single-use supplies.
• Commonly used cleaners and disinfectants are effective against COVID-19 provided the manufacturer's label indicates the product is effective against viruses.
• Only use disinfectants that are approved by Health Canada, deemed effective against COVID-19 and viruses with a Drug Identification number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN), and check the expiry date.
• Chlorine bleach solutions may be prepared and used for disinfection if appropriate for the surface and ensuring a minimum two-minute contact time is used
• Ensure single-use items, including masks and gloves, are discarded immediately after use to reduce the risk of contamination. Garbage bins should be lined and disposed of regularly.

Prevent COVID-19 outbreaks

• Maintain records for all staff and clients that received services to support public health contact tracing efforts (i.e. name, date and time of service, contact information).
• If a customer or staff have COVID-19 and were contagious while receiving/ providing service, public health will investigate and notify staff and clients who may have been exposed. This may include instructions to self-isolate or self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms
• Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms should get tested and stay at home
• Public Health will advise of any additional measures including cleaning and disinfecting requirements needed to reduce the spread of infection in the setting.

Monitoring

Be aware that any prevention measures put in place today may need further adjustments in the future.

It is recommended that you monitor the preventative measures put in place on an ongoing basis and adjust them accordingly. Make regular checks part of your COVID-19 prevention plans.

As the COVID-19 landscape is ever-changing, please remain up-to-date by reviewing these additional resources:

• Provincial Emergency Orders and Closures
• Ontario Regulation 263/20
• Ontario Regulation 364/20

Service specific guidelines

Hair salon and barber shops

• Hair dryers can only be used if all clients and staff in the business are wearing a facial covering/mask. Try to limit use of the hair dryer, especially near the face.
• Clean towels are used to remove cut hair. Brushes are not permitted for this purpose.
• Use a clean cape for each client. Capes must be laundered between clients.

Shampooing:

• Basins, hoses, spray nozzles, faucet handles, shampoo chairs, shampoo bottles and arm rests are cleaned and disinfected between clients.
• Basin area where the client rests their neck is covered with a clean towel or disposable plastic.
• Used towels are placed in a laundry bin, and disposable plastic is discarded in a garbage bin immediately after use.

Tattooing and body piercing

• Businesses should consider operating by appointment whenever possible. Aim to limit appointments to the final stages of consult and to service provision. 
• Clients are not permitted to handle stencils, ink or jewellery. A 2 metre distance or a barrier/divider should be used when viewing items.

Nails and aesthetic services

• Gloves are changed and discarded immediately, and hands are cleaned when a task is changed (e.g. from manicures to aesthetic services) after every client, or more often as necessary.
• Items that are not necessary for the delivery of the service are not provided (e.g. hot towels).
• Manicures and Pedicures
• Clients are required to wash their hands or use Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer before a manicure.
• Clients are not permitted to touch/handle retail supplies; such as nail polish when selecting colours.
• All clients and staff are wearing a mask when nail dryers are in use. Nail dryers are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between each client, ensuring appropriate contact time of the disinfectant. 
• Aesthetics
• Client wear a mask/face covering during the entirety of all aesthetic services. Note: Services that require mask removal are prohibited at this time
• Regulated health professionals who provide cosmetic injectables must also comply with Ontario's COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart, Directive #2.

Applicable laws and regulations

• Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020
• Health Protection and Promotion Act
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Face Covering By-Law
• Ontario Regulation 263/20
• Ontario Regulation 364/20
• All other related laws and regulations

Additional resources

• COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms (Ministry of Health)
• COVID-19 self-assessment tool (Ministry of Health)
• Hard surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers COVID-19 (Health Canada) 
• Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace (Ministry of Health)
• COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open (Government of Ontario)
• Guidance on Health and Safety for the Personal Care Service Sector during COVID-19 (Workplace Safety and Prevention Services)

Public Health does not provide advice regarding your ability to operate and it remains the business’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable laws to operate at this time. These guidelines and resources should be reviewed and followed.