The current lockdown is being extended – what does that mean for nail designers? As part of the easing, body-related services such as nail design were allowed again, but due to the renewed increase in the number of infections, the federal government decided to continue the lockdown. We will explain to you what will change for you when working in the nail salon and which existing measures need to be continued.

Nail salon in extended lockdown
Extension: Until April 18, 2021

Where you can find Corona information for your region:
The websites of the Chambers of Crafts and your district provide you with up-to-date information for your place of work. You can find out what the federal government's opening steps look like here:
https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/bkin-de/aktuelles/fuenf-oeffnungstritte-1872120

Nail Salon Restrictions:
For now, everything will remain as it is, hygiene concepts will continue to be pursued as before. This applies until and after Easter. Please note the current daily incidence values ​​and the guidelines of the individual federal states. The general rule is: If the incidence value is over 100, relaxations can be withdrawn. The extent of this withdrawal varies from place to place.

Quick test in the nail salon:
The offer of rapid tests for customers or nail technicians is welcomed, but is currently not mandatory. Nevertheless, depending on what is offered in the studio, it may become necessary to present a test concept to the employees in the near future. Please note the current and individual requirements in your region.

😷 Mask requirement:
Customers and nail technicians must wear medical or FFP2/KN95/N95 masks. Self-sewn and other face masks are not permitted.

Appointment customers:
Customers in the nail salon may only be treated by appointment, no walk-in customers.

Maundy Thursday 🐰 Easter Saturday:
There will be official rest days on the two days, Maundy Thursday (April 1, 2021) and Easter Saturday (April 3, 2021). Only grocery stores are open on Easter Saturday, all others (including nail salons) close on both days.

Update: The decisions to close on Maundy Thursday and Easter Saturday have been reversed - nail salons are allowed to open! https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/ruhetage-ostern-101.html

Our info box is for your information; we have put it together to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, we do not claim to be complete and cannot offer legal advice.
(As of March 24, 2021), source: https://www.hwk-reutlingen.de/corona/corona-massnahme-was-aktuell-gilt.html

Nail salons: 9 questions about the extended lockdown

Do I have to offer rapid tests? Is it necessary to change my hygiene concept? What challenges await me? We asked our nail designers Stefanie (works in a studio with employees in the nail salon with a cosmetics area) and Martina (works alone in the nail salon only) what the extension of the lockdown means for them and their customers in the nail salon and how they are dealing with it.

ND24: What impact does the extended lockdown have on nail salons? Nail designer Stefanie: “At the moment everything remains as before for nail and cosmetic studios (as of March 24th, 2021) - so we don't have to close again for the time being. Of course, this can change at any time with the so-called “emergency brake” . For this, the incidence value of the individual regions and the requirements of the federal states play an important role. So you should inform yourself daily about what the current situation is in your own town.”

ND24: What fears and worries accompany you during the lockdown extension?
Nail designer Stefanie: “Of course the fear of the nail salons closing again is back – we have that in mind all the time. The short period of opening was not enough, at least for us, to compensate for the losses of the past few months, let alone build up a new financial cushion for a coming lockdown.”

ND24: Alone in the nail salon in the current Corona situation - what does that mean for sole proprietors?
Nail designer Martina : “Most nail salons are run by only one, or at most two, nail designers. The purchase of the various protective measures required far exceeds the income during this time of low sales. I am also afraid that despite the best precautions, someone will become infected on my premises, and I want to prevent that at all costs.”

ND24: What is changing in your hygiene concept?
Nail Studio Stefanie: “The existing hygiene concept in the nail studio remains as it is:

• There are only appointment customers
• Do not treat customers with symptoms
• Nail technician with symptoms stay at home
• Disinfect hands when entering the studio
• The contacts in the studio are tracked through lists
• We have protective glass screens on every table
• Thoroughly disinfect and sterilize the workplace and tools after each customer
• Use disposable files
• Regular ventilation, shock ventilation at least every 20 minutes
• Maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 m (from person to person, from different areas to each other, etc.)

The situation is different with cosmetic treatments, especially of the face. There are new requirements here, such as daily rapid tests for customers and beauticians.”

ND24: Where do you currently see the biggest problems?
Nail designer Stefanie: “We are a studio that offers both nail design and cosmetic treatments. We have many questions, especially in relation to the rapid tests that will probably be needed soon. Where do we get them? Who will carry it out? Who will pay for this?”

ND24: Do you carry out rapid tests in your studio or are you preparing a concept for this, Martina?
Nail designer Martina: “No, I would have to credit customers with rapid tests and many don’t even want to be tested. These customers then stay away. Some customers also think that they are testing because they had someone with Corona in the studio. Obtaining the tests in these large quantities is also difficult. So I would rather close temporarily if the rapid tests are requested but not provided. However, if the tests were free for me and my customers, I would reconsider.”

ND24: What does it mean for nail salons not to be allowed to work before important holidays?
Nail designer Martina: “It's definitely bad for nail salons not to be able to work on these important and high-turnover days. Normally, the studios are always busy on the days before events such as Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve, because many people want to make themselves beautiful and do time-consuming extras on their nails. So you earn more money on days like that.”

ND24: How is the lockdown extension for your customers?
Nail designer Stefanie: “Our customers were initially very happy about the relaxation, were happy to come back to the nail salon and really enjoyed a little piece of “ normality” . But they are now also very unsettled due to the constantly changing regulations. Many have actually decided against wearing gel or other professional nail modeling for the time being because they are afraid of another lockdown and then won't be able to go to the nail salon. For many, the existing modeling during the lockdown was a big problem: outgrowing, tearing, chipping, etc., for most it was difficult not being able to get a refill in time and therefore being left alone to handle the artificial nails that were growing out. The situation is different with pedicures, because since toenails grow more slowly, the operation is actually quite normal here.”

ND24: How do you try to support your customers?
Nail designer Stefanie: “I completely understand why customers are currently deciding against nail modeling with gel. If you would still like to come to the studio, you can also do so for a classic manicure with or without polish. If you want long-lasting nail designs that can be easily removed yourself, you can use Shellac or UV nail polishes .”