20 March 2020

Statement from professional bodies

A joint statement about the coronavirus crisis has been made by the UK’s professional bodies and awarding organisations in the hairdressing, barbering, health, wellbeing and beauty therapy services sector. It acknowledges the pressures and confusion being faced by our industry. Read the full statement.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from day one

Emergency coronavirus legislation has now been published and will probably be voted through by MPs early next week. Among many other measures, it will allow self-isolating employees who are eligible for SSP to claim it from day one, backdated to 13 March. (Previously, SSP could be claimed from day four.) Employers with fewer than 250 employers will be able to reclaim the cost for up to two weeks of SSP from the government.

School closures

It has already been announced that schools will be closing today (see yesterday’s update). Vulnerable children and the children of key workers can continue to go to school. The government has now published some guidance on this and a list of key workers.

Can my employee stay off work to look after their children when schools close?

Further emergency measures

The chancellor will be unveiling an emergency package of measures aimed at protecting jobs and wages. We’ll include this information in future updates as it emerges.

See all updates

More information and resources from the NHBF

  • Members can call our membership team on 01234 831965.
  • Please follow the links in this NHBF blog post for the latest official government and NHS advice.
  • Download a poster about the coronavirus to display in your salon or barbershop. This poster advises clients with symptoms to stay away.