While the easing of coronavirus restrictions in Western Australia has been welcomed by many in the beauty industry, some sections of the community are frustrated they are unable to reopen next week.
These mixed views have been voiced across the South West following the McGowan government's decision to place beauty services in phase three, which could see them shut for another month.
Cove Beauty and Medispa Mandurah owner Kate Olsen said she expected to be open sooner with the clinic even creating a waitlist in preparation to open their doors.
"We started a waitlist for bookings when we re-open as we anticipate to be booked up quite quickly," she said.
"It's unfortunate, I was hoping to be able to open a bit sooner than what was announced."
If they want to get the economy going cutting us out is not good.
- Beauty Studio IPL Skin Clinic Dunsborough owner Liz Pearson
Beauty Studio IPL Skin Clinic Dunsborough owner Liz Pearson is also disappointed with the government's decision as there is a large demand for the beauty industry to reopen.
"It is really frustrating how they have kept beauty clinics closed," she said.
"Being a skin clinic, people have ongoing treatments which would probably be a service equivalent to hairdressing.
"There is a massive demand, we have so many clients ringing us just saying please do something but we can't our hands are tied.
"So if they want to get the economy going cutting us out is not good."
In an interview on Wednesday, Premier Mark McGowan told The West Australian he was advised the risk of COVID-19 in beauty clinics was higher than other industries.
"The chief health officer gave us advice that we had to pick certain things so we had to pick either cafes, pubs and restaurants or go down the route of opening beauty clinics," he said.
"If we had gone with the beauty industry the advice was it had slightly more risk than cafes and restaurants because of the proximity of the person you are dealing with."
Eden Aesthetics Margaret River doctor Sarah Podmore agrees with the McGowan government's decision to keep beauty clinics shut as it is difficult to maintain social distancing guidelines.
"I think it's completely reasonable as unfortunately in our industry it's impossible to practise social distancing," she said.
"Many of our treatments put us in close proximity to people's faces placing us at higher risk."
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This view is echoed by Waves Hair and Body Sanctum Mandurah owner Ashleigh Brooks as she said the Premier's decision was logical.
"Generally all treatments are skin to skin contact with clients and working very closely with them so although it is impacting business I see the logic behind it," she said.
But other beauty clinics maintain they would be able to meet COVID-19 hygiene and safety standards.
"We have been preparing for this right from the beginning so we have protocols in place already," Ms Pearson said.
"We got all our staff to do the COVID-19 hygiene course so we are all geared up and ready to go.
"It would be easy for us to open right now because we know the protocol."
With other industries set to open next week, Mr McGowan is hopeful that beauty clinics can reopen soon.
"As soon as we can get them open we will. Hopefully, it will only be a few weeks after the implementation of the changes on Monday," he said.
