LOCAL hairdressers are outraged at the recent revelation that Stormont ministers were aware that the closure of salons would have a low impact on Covid-19 transmission, with a potential reduction in the ‘R number’ by just 0.05.

The assessment on the closure of certain businesses – including hairdressers and beauticians – is contained in a scientific paper that guided the Executive’s recent decisions on the introduction of a four-week ‘circuit-break’ for the region.

The scientific paper was published on Tuesday evening, October 20, as part of an initiative by the Department of Health to increase transparency around the decision-making process.

The paper listed a range of actions available to ministers, setting out the impact of each, both on transmission rates and on wider society.

The impact was quantified in terms of the potential reduction in the crucial virus reproduction rate – the R number – which is the average number of people an infected person infects.

Ministers are endeavouring to reduce the R number to below 1.0, which would see infections gradually shrink.

Last week, close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians were among a range of businesses required to close for four weeks.

The Executive paper said the move would have a low impact on Covid-19 transmission, with a potential reduction in the R number by 0.05.

However, the paper said the closures would have a high social and economic impact, warning it would disproportionately affect low-income workers and women.

Commenting on the news of the likely low impact that the closure of hairdressers would have on the R number, Becky McClaughry, the owner of Becky McClaughry Hairdressing in Irvinestown, said: “I think it kind of belittles our industry.

“To me, they [the Executive] obviously didn’t put much thought into their decision. I think it was a very last-minute decision.”

Talking about the care she had taken to ensure the safety of her clients, Becky said: “Whenever we went back to work in July, I was working longer hours to be able to see less people, so technically I was making less money.

“We put in so many measures, with PPE and screening, to look after everybody. We were being so careful. I just feel like it’s really unfair,” she told this newspaper.

Devon Casey, owner of hair salon Elysian in Enniskillen, echoed her sentiments. “We all followed the new rules and regulations – now, to be closed again seems like a kick in the teeth.

“I don’t feel that closing salons will help in any way. Every man, woman and dog flocked to the salons once we re-opened, with no dramatic surge in cases.”

She continued: “The knock on-effect of the restrictions of events such as weddings, Holy Communions, christenings, formals and nights out has had a huge impact on us already.

“I think we are all hoping and praying this will only last four weeks. The loss of the Christmas trade will be a blow some won’t be able to take.

“If that does happen, the impact on the local economy, and our already dying High Streets, will be massive.”

Devon noted how the closure of salons not only has a big impact on the owners and staff, but also on the clients. “Salons really are a safe place for many clients, who now have nowhere to go,” she added.

Other steps that would have had a greater projected impact on the R number – such as the closure of churches, with an estimated reduction of the R number by 0.1 – were not taken by the Executive.

The paper said the current closure of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants was likely to have a “moderate impact”, reducing the R number by between 0.1 and 0.2.

Part of the evidence base included a reference to multiple “anecdotal reports” of outbreaks linked to bars in the UK and beyond.

The paper said a curfew, which ministers introduced last month, was likely to have a “marginal impact”.

The Executive paper said the closure of all schools would have a “moderate impact” on the R number, reducing it by between 0.2 and 0.5.

It said the non-Covid impact would be high, due to the disruption to young people’s education.

Schools are currently closed for two weeks after the mid-term Halloween break was extended by a week.

The paper said the move that would have the greatest impact on transmission would be the reintroduction of a stay-at-home order similar to the first lockdown.

It said that move had been shown to reduce the R number, from 2.7 to 0.6, during the first lockdown.