Mumbai: For some Covidiots, beauty regimes can’t wait!

A British chain’s outlet is also offering services

Although the state government is yet to relax Covid-19 related restrictions amid an abating second wave, some businesses seem to have started operating. When the state imposed restrictions amid the second wave of Covid-19 on April 5, salon services were stalled. However, outlets of at least two chains seem to be offering services discreetly.

A confirmation sent to a customer by the Hill Road outlet of Enrich Salon

Last week, three women availed a Borivli branch's services. One of them, who did not wish to be named, said, "The salon is being really safe and following all guidelines. They are careful with customers. It was a risk we didn't mind taking."

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A woman in Powai had a different experience. After she was caught availing services at a Powai branch, she and the branch were penalised heavily by the police. Another customer took a phone booking for their Hill Road branch for May 25. She, on condition of anonymity, told mid-day, "I heard of this and first called the Santacruz branch. They told me they are providing home services but not taking in-salon bookings. But then I rang up the Hill Road branch. The lady on the phone informed me that I can drop by and avail of their in-salon services. She requested me to not tell others about it. I was sent a booking confirmation on text as well. I would have taken it up but both customers and salons need to be responsible. I didn't want to be complicit in the matter." The woman shared the confirmation slip and a phone recording with an employee from Enrich's Hill Road outlet. The employee confirmed that salon services are available.

What about other areas?

This reporter made calls to Four Bungalows, Lokhandwala and Adarsh Nagar outlets of Enrich Salon, all of whom promised home services. An employee at the Four Bungalows branch told mid-day, "We keep hearing about employees at other salons losing their jobs. The salons were shut from March till October last year. It has been economically straining for all of us. We just want to make some money and right now that's on our minds more than our health and the possibility of contracting Covid-19." She also said that a few branches in the chain have also made fresh hirings in the last few months to continue home services while competing brands, Lakme and Urban Clap, have kept their services on hold since early April. mid-day reached out to the communications team of Enrich Salons for a comment. There was no official response until the time of going to press.

Another hairdressing salon chain told mid-day that their Tardeo outlet is allowing clients by appointment. Representation pic

Appointments 24 hrs before

In the case of another hairdressing salon chain, Toni & Guy, all their branches are shut but the one in Tardeo is providing services by appointment. When this reporter called the branch posing as customer, a professional on the line said, "We are opening the branch only for customers with appointments, which we are taking 24 hours in advance. The other branches across the city are currently shut."

Many standalone salons across the city are offering behind-the-doors services to customers reaching out to them.

April 5
Day stringent Covid-19 related curbs began in the state