Face masks must be kept on even when having a haircut in Scotland

People attending newly reopened hairdressers and barbers in Scotland will have to wear face coverings throughout their appointment, while stylists will be banned from offering customers hot drinks or magazines.

Under strict guidelines published on Friday, ahead of the businesses reopening on Wednesday, it is stated that unlike in England, customers will be required to wear a mask during their haircut. South of the border, the stylist is required to wear only a visor, but in Scotland, both will have to wear a mask with visors also recommended for staff.

The rules were published as a new law, making facemasks mandatory in Scottish shops, came into force for the first time on Friday.

Hairdressers and barbers have also been told to remove any reading materials and offer no refreshments other than “water on request”.

Hilary Hall, chief executive of the National Hair and Beauty Federation, backed the new guidance which was drawn up in consultation with the sector, which generates a turnover of around £600 million a year in Scotland .

“As well as the economic contribution, this sector is also imperative to our well-being and so we are delighted that hairdressers and barbers will be able to return to work on 15 July,” Ms Hall said.

“Protecting clients and employees is their top priority so our members have already been preparing their salons to make them safe to re-open. They are reporting that they are fully booked for the near future which is positive news and should mean that businesses can recover and grow from the pandemic.”

On the new requirement to wear face masks in shops, Nicola Sturgeon warned that the law was likely to remain in force for the “forseeable future” and said she wanted wearing a face covering in a shop to feel as natural as wearing a seat belt in a car.

Although it is hoped that people will comply with the requirement voluntarily, police have the power to impose fines of up to £60, rising to up to £960 for repeat offenders. The law was brought in after Ms Sturgeon's requests for the public to wear masks was widely ignored.

“The key here is for all of us as responsible citizens to do it because it's the right thing to do," the First Minister said.

"The vast bulk of the population over almost four long, hard months have done the right thing at great personal cost and sacrifice and that's why we are where we are today, so let's keep doing the right things."

Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched after 18 new Covid-19 cases - the highest daily total in three weeks - were recorded in Scotland on Thursday. Officials are looking at whether there is anything to link the cases, although they were not concentrated in one part of the country.

In other changes to lockdown in Scotland to come into force on Friday, up to 15 people from five households were permitted to meet up outdoors - while indoor gatherings of up to eight adults from three households can now also take place.

Ms Sturgeon admitted she felt nervous about the changes, with the potential for the virus to spread indoors far higher than for outdoors.

"The ability to meet indoors even in small numbers is a simple pleasure that has been hard earned by all of us, so enjoy it,” she said.

"But please, please, be very careful. Remember why we have only now started to allow any indoor meetings. It is because the risk of transmitting this virus indoors is higher, and significantly higher, than it is outdoors."