Hyderabad: Small-time salons find rules stringent

Hyderabad: How can I afford a thermal gun? Asks Srinivas, owner of the Manikanta Hair Salon in Krupa Complex, Malkajgiri. "A sanitiser bottle, yes, but I cannot afford to sanitise the shop after every hair cut and shave and screen people with a thermal gun. It is just beyond my means," says Anjaneyulu, Jai Bhavani Hair Dressers in East Maredpally.

The story is the same in almost all parts of the city. Owners of barber shops and beauty parlours, from Kavadiguda to Kushaiguda rue lack of funds to adhere to the rules set by the Telangana government. "I cannot wear gloves and cut hair," says Srinivas. "The rules say so, but I wear a mask at all times," he adds. In a few up-market beauty parlours, only online payment is accepted and only one person at a time is allowed.

"No walk-in customers are allowed. We are also checking the body temperature of each client, and ensure that they are wearing masks, gloves and only one customer is allowed at a time. Customers are asked to make online payments only," said Ketan, manager of Lakme Salons, Jeedimetla.

The manager of Naturals Beauty Salon for men and woman at Suchitra Junction said, "Our staff is wearing disposable bodysuits, shoe cover, gloves and face mask. While entering the salon, body temperature is checked and customer is given hand sanitizer, disposable mask and shoe covers. As in women section there are 4 chairs, so only two at a time is allowed and in men section also two at a time," he said.

"We are only providing essential services that include haircut, dyeing hair, waxing and threading. Also with limited staff, as before I had over 8 workers, now I'm managing with 3 workers. After each service, we are sanitizing the equipment after each service. We are taking all the protective measure like wearing the mask during providing service, checking body temperature by thermal gun, washing hands after and before each service, providing sanitisers to the customer and also allowing one customer at a time," said Saritha, owner of Smart look beauty parlour, Meenakshi Estates Colony, Jeedimetla village.

"As far as a safety precaution we are following basic precaution like gloves, mask and using sanitizers. Apart from this, we are not using thermal guns and protective suits, as we cannot afford to maintain," said Sahithi, owner of Sahithi Beauty Parlour at SR Naiknagar, IDA Jeedimetla.