A new list of requirements to operate hairdressing or beauty salons in Muscat has been released by Muscat Municipality. These requirements are intended to maintain public health and will have to be met before businesses are authorised to start services, the Municipality said in a statement.
The requirements are divided into several parts and the most important ones include the placing of a ladies-only sign in two languages, ensuring availability of a reception and waiting area as well as sufficient space to carry out procedures. There must also be a makeup room, a toilet and the front of the shop must have materials that do not permit viewing inside. A sufficient number of towels as well as a basket to collect used towels must be kept. These towels must be washed after every use.
In addition to the above, the facility must not be less than nine square metres and must have a waiting area at the entry point. At least 3 waiting seats must be provided for each service seat. In four-and-five star hotels, this requirement can be ignored if the services are limited to hotel visitors with a pre-booking system.
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The hairdressing area must not be less than 16 sq metres and must have space of 1.5 metres between seats. A hand wash basin with hot water supply is needed and for shops in tourist complexes and hotels, the need for a toilet may be ignored provided women’s toilets are not more than 20 metres away.
“Make-up rooms must be fitted with comfortable seating or beds, with at least 1.5 meter distance between each chair, in an area of not less than 6 square meters around each chair,” Muscat Municipality said. Only women workers are permitted in shops while in four-star hotels or higher, or in tourist complexes, men can be employed provided they undertake annual medical examinations for infectious diseases. Workers must be given uniforms and must be able to prove their qualifications.
“Muscat Municipality hence urges owners and workers of these businesses to comply with the health requirements before establishing the business and while providing the services, stressing at the same time to adhere to the controls taken to prevent further spreading of COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement added.
A list of prohibitions have also been provided by Muscat Municipality and they are listed below:
Attached workers’ housing.
Use of laser devices, intense pulsed light (IPL) without licence.
Botox, Restylane, Perlane or other injections.
Medium or strong depth skin peeling procedures.
Sale and use of recipes for therapeutic purposes.
Performing liposuction or fat-removal procedures.
Offering tattooing or body-piercing services.
Performing any operations which require medical intervention or supervision.
Performing any skin penetrating procedures.
Taking pets.
Installing cameras in all facilities.
Admission of men during work hours
SOURCE: TIMESOFOMAN