New guidelines have been issued by health authorities to prevent infection at barber shops and beauty salons in Bahrain, as part of national efforts to combat the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19), writes Mohammed Al A'Ali.

According to a communiqué issued by the Health Ministry, the seven methods to prevent infection include washing, cleaning and disinfecting hands before and after shaving customers; monitoring good personal hygiene; wearing protective masks and gloves during work; not serving customers with flu symptoms; and infected staff staying at home as per doctors’ instructions.

The guidelines also include using clean towels and aprons for customers; cleaning and sterilisation of tools and surfaces after each use; and keeping general hygiene and good ventilation of the salon.

The directive comes as MPs have proposed tougher hygiene guidelines for hairdressers, salons and massage parlours.

The proposal, which is currently being reviewed by Parliament’s services committee, is spearheaded by public utilities and environment affairs committee vice-chairman Ahmed Al Demistani.

It aims at ensuring germs, viruses, bacteria, diseases and illnesses don’t spread through the services.

Mr Al Demistani said now with the government working to combat the spread of Covid-19, it is the right time to review all existing conditions especially during the closure of commercial outlets until April 9.

The ministry’s guidelines are an exact copy of a proposal submitted by the Southern Municipal Council last week.

The council has asked the ministry to conduct spot checks on salons to ensure high cleanliness standards are maintained, and, more importantly, that no contaminated equipment are being used.

It said some of the outlets did not follow proper standards, while also demanding that furniture, equipment, wax, steam machines and other materials be disinfected after every customer leaves.

The council also wanted staff at these outlets to undergo regular medical tests, especially when their work permits are up for renewal.

“Tougher hygiene standards have to be implemented not just when the country is facing a crisis such as Covid-19 but also throughout the year,” said Mr Al Demistani.

“I don’t think observing higher hygiene standards need to be expensive.

“Even if the cost is higher by 200fils per service, protecting the community is more important.”

He said monitoring these outlets with surveillance cameras was difficult because they involved offering personal grooming services.

He also suggested that health inspectors have access to receipts and files at the outlets to ensure the equipment being used were genuine and of high quality.