COVID-19 affecting Windsor barbershops

Barbershops and hair salons across Canada have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns.

According to the website Living in Canada, there are approximately 100,000 hairstylists and barbers working in Canada. Classified as a non-essential business, barber shops and hair salons had to temporarily cease all operations as a result of the lockdown.

Haider, a barber at My Barber hair salon, said the lockdown affected the way he performed his duties.

“To be honest, the first month felt like a vacation,” said Haider. “After that, all your motivation is gone. The routine of work is what kept us going. The fact that we stopped working altogether and sat at home took our purpose away from us to a degree.”

Haider also said the relaxation of restrictions in Windsor has improved things but also presents challenges. These include the mask mandate interfering with haircuts.

“In the barbershop, it’s a little difficult to cut around the ears but we have gotten used to it,” said Haider. “One major change is that we can’t do beards anymore. The beards amount to about 40 per cent of a barber’s income. The fact that you can’t take the mask off affects us negatively in that way.”

Vishal Subramanian is an avid user of barber shops who said the closure of hair salons affected his self-grooming.

“Proper grooming makes us look and feel confident,” said Subramanian. “The lockdown has really shattered my grooming. Even though it was a work-from-home situation, it was very hard for me to deliver myself in a proper manner.”

Subramanian also said he is pleased that the barber shops will be open again.

“The government is relaxing some rules,” said Subramanian. “I’m so happy I can look the same and feel the same as before with the proper grooming now.”

Things have taken an unexpected turn as Ontario Premier Doug Ford, on April 7, announced that the Ontario government will be implementing a provincewide stay-at-home order as of April 8. This all means all non-essential businesses including barbershops will have to close.