Getting back to normal

Monday 01 June 2020

More businesses are reopening today, after a staggered 'return to normal' life across the Bailiwick saw some open over the weekend.

Many shops and restaurants opened to customers on Saturday for the first time in 10 weeks, with many beauty salons also booking in customers who had seen their appointments cancelled during the lockdown.

More salons are due to reopen this week, with a number of office workers starting to return as well with many firms operating rotas to keep employee numbers to a minimum so they can social distance. 

Acknowledging the return to work might be an anxious time for many people, the States has issued guidance to help those who are worried.

"This has been a very trying time for many of us, and we have had to make some very rapid adjustments in order to keep ourselves and others safe in the last few weeks and months. Whilst the adjustment to working from home has been hard for many of us, the transition to now going back into a work environment can be equally difficult for a variety of reasons. Anxiety and worry about returning to work at present are perfectly understandable, and it is important that we continue to look after ourselves as we enter the ‘new normal’ for the island," said the guidance.

The States Mental Health and Wellbeing guidance for returning to work can be read HERE.

Among those businesses reopening today is Magnifque Unisex Hair Salon.

Owner, Maggie Bichard said they have worked out a plan to guarantee social distancing for her staff and customers, while ensuring they can work through the ten week backlog of bookings.

"We have organised the staff so we have two stylists working per day, fitting in a maximum of two clients per stylist. This way we can maintain social distancing and work in the most productive way. The salon has five work stations so to social distance we can only have a maximum of four clients in at one time. The staff are working longer hours each day. We have a system where clients can come in the front, fill in a questionnaire, make their next appointment, have their hair done, pay in the salon and leave via the back door, so this helps no congregation of clients in the reception area.

"We have a client orders box outside so clients can pay for products over the phone and I can leave them outside for collection. Only clients with appointments can come in the salon. We ask clients to wait in the porch and have hand sanitiser at each work station and when they come in and masks if required and a fresh gown and towel for each client."

Ms Bichard said she expects them to busy catching up after having to cancel so many appointments during the lockdown, which in itself kept her staff busy.

"We have had to fit a 10 week back log of clients in. So we have personally called every client cancelled since the start of lock down and fitted everyone in. We also have had a stand by list which took three people approximately 20 hours of phone calls to get through.

"We will be working at full capacity while maintaining social distancing and we're currently full for bookings untill July. The clients have been very supportive and happy to wait until we have a space to fit them in. We are very grateful for this support."

Pictured: Guernsey's High Street will be getting busier again as more shops reopen.

Many businesses will have lost two months worth of takings during the enforced lockdown with thousands of people receiving financial support from the States co-payroll scheme while their work was closed.

Ms Bichard said the scheme worked well in supporting her business and staff and she was grateful for the help received.

"I have been lucky with the support from the States. I filled my grant application and payroll in as soon as I got it and I received the grant within the first month of lock down along with payroll every two to three weeks after. It was easy to access, I just needed a few questions answered by my accountant but once I knew what I needed to do it was quite easy. I know it was not the same for everyone but without the grant and payroll it would have made it very difficult.

"I think the 100% payroll should have been given out from the beginning but I was pleased I received the help I did. It was all very much appreciated so I could retain my staff who have been also very supportive throughout lock down."

Pictured top: Magnifique Unisex Hair Salon is among those reopening today.