Businesses providing close contact services are being invited to attend a free webinar on safely reopening.

The webinar, hosted by Lancaster City Council and Preston City Council, will provide businesses with up to date information on COVID compliance and an opportunity to ask questions to environmental health staff.

Councillor Merv Evans, Cabinet member with responsibility for Economic Recovery and Resilience at Lancaster City Council, said: “Lockdown has had a major impact on our local businesses.

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“The guidelines and regulations under which they will have to operate when they reopen will be very challenging and we want to do all we can to help them trade safely.

“I hope as many as close contact businesses as possible will be able to join us for this free webinar so they can get the advice and support they need.”

The webinar will include information about ensuring close contact services are delivered to customers safely and how to safely reopen, maintain a clean and covid compliant business space as well as practical aspects including contactless payments and what PPE is required.

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Attendees will also be told about what is required in terms of training of staff and what the legislation states for all businesses.

Businesses providing these services are being encouraged to attend the webinar and share the information with other businesses who may benefit from the information on offer.

Councillor Peter Moss, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulations at Preston City Council, said: “This is no doubt an exciting and anxious time for businesses getting ready to reopen to the public. We are committed to supporting these businesses to reopen safely and I encourage all close service business owners or managers to join our webinar.

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“Environmental Health staff from both councils will be on hand to provide information to businesses on how to safely reopen and what practical steps they need to take to provide a safe environment for customers.

“After what has been a very difficult year many businesses will be raring to open up once more, but it’s vital they do so in a safe way to protect themselves and their customers.”

The webinar is aimed at businesses who provide close contact services, including (but not limited to):

• Beauty salons/Treatments
• Makeup artists
• Nail bars
• Hairdressers/Barbers
• Tattooist/Skin piercing
• Physiotherapists

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The Webinar will take place over Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 16 March 2021 at 10am.

Anybody wishing to find out more information on the webinar or register their interest should contact environmentalhealth@lancaster.gov.uk along with their name and the name of their business.

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