By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian spa operators yesterday said that while abrupt COVID-19 lockdowns and curfews have imposed a major financial strain on their industry they have remained open since August.

Christal Woodside, general manager of Roy-all Wellness & Day Spa, told Tribune Business she has been open since the Government allowed hair salons and barbers to operate after obtaining COVID-19 certification from the Ministry of Health.

She explained: “The emergency orders included spas as well, but the definition of what the Prime Minister and everybody else may have considered spas to be was more like sauna areas and your various deep treatments. That will only be found in places like Albany or the Mandara Spa" which offer whirlpools and hot sauna areas.

Ms Woodside said this definition did not apply to her spa and, as a result, business has been steady since August.

The Ministry of Health implemented an infection control certificate that was mandatory for persons in the hair and cosmetics industry, which also included spas. The certification was co-administered by the Bahamian Cosmetologists and Barbers Association and the Faces of Beauty School of Cosmetology and Workforce Training, operated by Dr Shyann Williams.

Ms Woodside added: “Things have going slowly but surely. We’re happy that, even though the lockdown and the various openings and closings definitely has put a strain on the industry. It has put a strain on the business as well. During the lockdown we were trying to make sure to keep our staff enthusiastic about the possibility of coming back to work soon.”

She said they plan to remain open during the Christmas season as long as there are no lockdowns. Another spa owner, speaking under condition of anonymity, said that they have been open since August but “people just don’t have the money right now”.

“Our COVID-19 protocols are in place, we are operating quite fine, and a small group of our customers have been steady, so we expect things to get better for next year,” they said.