by: Ynigo Panghulan
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – More than one year since the Philippines was put to its first of many lockdowns, Salons in Quezon City is officially back for limited face-to-face services for their customers.
The Department of Trade and Industry has allowed haircut establishments to operate since last June 7 at 30-percent capacity in areas under general community quarantine.
Janette Carballo, who has been working as a hairdresser and manicurist for 26 years at Jem’s Salon and Beaucare Spa in Quezon City said that the pandemic has brought changes in the hairstyling industry and these limited contact services have helped them gain back what they have lost since 2020 on a Google Meet interview last October 28, 2021.
With the new normal, gone is the scene of crowded barbershops and salons with customers chit-chatting with one another. Carballo who has been working for two decades in the salon industry said that customers will have to book their appointment in their salon and walk-ins are not allowed. Also, bringing food inside the salon is strictly prohibited and social distancing should always be observed.
“Appointments lang at bawal ang walk-in, hindi pwedeng magdala ng pagkain, palaging isuot ang facemask at palaging panatiliin ang social distancing,” she said.
Moreover, Carballo added that haircut services are already increased as they are also providing safety kits for the customers and the employees, which will be part of the service fee with the help of the Barangay Heads.
The Local Government Unit in Quezon City is also helping salon owners ensure that all health protocols and measures are being done at all times by doing round-to-round checks in every salon and nail spas across Quezon City.
As salons have reopened since June 2021, Carballo said that their employees will have to only work for 4 days than the usual 5 days and undergo rapid testing to still ensure the safety of everyone. The establishments are also conducting general cleaning daily to keep the premises clean.
Currently, Quezon City Salons with the help of LGU and City Barangay Heads are planning to make vaccination cards a requirement when booking for salon services.
The sound of chatters and the source of our gossip is back! Your haircuts will never be the same as any other! #SalonNgMasa #ManiCURE #SalonsNgayongPandemiya
Ynigo Panghulan is currently in 1st year in college taking up Bachelor of Science in Development Communication.
Journalism for Ynigo was an escape from reality. When he writes feature articles, he feels like he was being drawn to a whole new dimension that even he cannot explain. It was a place for him to breathe, free from expectations, free from comparisons, and free from rumors that were circulating around his name. Following his heart, Ynigo saw his purpose to be and made an avenue for him to reach new heights. He won in the Division Level as a campus journalist. Journalism did not just let him achieve awards but also made him see what the world is and how big it can be, that his problems are not bigger than the marginalized people. This made him realize to venture different interests in his life like being active on societal issues and using the platforms and privileges he has to be a voice for the youth and the LGBTQ++ Community. This passion made him more educated and open to things that are not on his scope and realized what the world truly needs at this time, a student leader who can rely on and someone who is brave enough to conquer every challenge that comes in their way and will always stand for the people regardless of anything.
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