By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

More than 500 barbers and beauty professionals have registered to obtain the necessary COVID-19 prevention certification that will allow them to return to work on June 15.

Dr Dellarese Taylor, president of the Bahamian Cosmetologists and Barbers Association (BCBA), told Tribune Business that all members were readying to do “their online training” for the Ministry of Health-sponsored certification in the prevention of infectious diseases.

“On my end we have over 500 persons already registered,” Dr Taylor said. “We have up to 1,200 hair salons - it could even be more - but I think we have up to 1,200 persons, and this covers the whole beauty trade industry.

“There is more than just 500 registered, because we have two agencies registering people, but with the BCBA I’m sure that we have registered about 500 persons already. People really want to get back into their business, so they are all excited about getting their certification for their COVID-19 through the Ministry of Health.”

The requirement to obtain certification was stipulated by the prime minister when he announced that hair salons and barber shops could resume operations with effect from this coming Monday.

“All salons, spas and parlours wishing to open should produce a current business license, engage in deep cleaning of their salon and put procedures in place to maintain physical distancing, hand washing and sanitising, and mask wearing to protect themselves and their clients,” Dr Hubert Minnis said.

“In conjunction with the Ministry of Health all beauty professionals are required to attend an Infection Prevention and Control course before returning to work.”

Besides the BCBA, the other agency providing the certification course is Faces of Beauty School of Cosmetology and Workforce Training, operated by Dr Shyann Williams.

Dr Williams told Tribune Business: “We have well over 100 persons registered online and in classroom. We expect a little over 500 to 600 persons in this rush. In the industry we are looking at 1,800 persons that are eligible to be registered.

“What persons need to do is take this serious and come and get registered, because a lot of them feel as though they don’t need to and that they are going to operate without it. But, like the prime minister stated, it is mandatory and they need to come and register with an entity and get their certification so they can protect themselves and their clients.”