Scotland have updated their COVID-19: Close Contact Service Guidance, to include changes following an urgent review on client face coverings.
Following lobbying from the British Beauty Council, BABTAC, the NHBF and UK Spa Association, the Scottish Government conducted an urgent review of their guidance for close contact services.
The update can be found under “Treatments to the mouth/nose area and safe use of PPE” (source: gov.scot)
From 31 May 2021, a client/customer may temporarily remove a face covering to receive a treatment to this area, as long as the person/practitioner providing the treatment is wearing appropriate protective equipment.
“Staff are at the highest risk of exposure to COVID-19 when working in close proximity to the face, nose or mouth and so risk assessments should be carried out to consider what measures need to be implemented to protect the health and safety of all staff and clients/customers, including whether or not to carry out the treatment. Risk assessments should be regularly reviewed or revised to ensure that any new or increased risks – including local prevalence of the virus – are identified and mitigated.
Close contact service providers in higher protection levels should pay particular attention to the risks associated with increased prevalence of the virus in their area when reviewing the treatments on offer.
An individual risk assessment guidance and tool has been developed to help staff and managers consider the specific risk of COVID-19 in the workplace. Further advice on supporting staff, including equalities considerations, is available in the general guidance for safer workplaces.
Prior to undertaking any treatments, first check that the client has not had any symptoms of COVID-19 and is not self-isolating for any reason.
To carry out a treatment requiring the temporary removal of a client/customer’s face covering, the person/practitioner should wear a Fluid Resistant Surgical Face Mask (Type IIR mask) and eye protection (goggles or a full face visor). Disposable gloves and an apron may also be appropriate, dependent on the outcome of the risk assessment, and careful attention should be paid to other mitigations such as ventilation. The face covering must only be removed as long as is necessary to receive the treatment to that area, in line with current face covering regulations. If treatments continue elsewhere, a face covering must be immediately replaced. Under no circumstances should the client’s face covering be removed if the practitioner is not wearing the right grade of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), or if the practitioner is not carrying out a treatment to the mouth/nose area (even when wearing the right grade PPE).Â
Where possible, treatments should continue to be provided whilst staff are positioned to the side or rear of the clients head.
It is recommended that the client/customer is asked to safely remove and hold their face covering immediately before the treatment commences. In light of the increased risk of virus transmission, treatment times should be kept to a minimum and it is advised that clients avoid conversation as much as possible while their face covering is removed for the treatment. The client/customer should replace their face covering as soon as this part of the treatment is finished.”
For more information, and to access the full guidance, click here.
