On Wednesday 2 December, all spas across England will be permitted to reopen, as the country emerges from its second lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson laid out the exit strategy this week in the Commons, where he outlined there would be a return to the tier system used previously.

He said: “England will continue to use a sensible approach based on three tiers, and since the prevalence of the disease is, alas, still high, these tiers will remain tough."

The government later confirmed that non-essential retail, which includes personal care and close-contact services such as spas and salons, can remain open across all three tiers.

In addition to this, the UK Spa Association has announced that the UK government has agreed that saunas and steamrooms can operate in tier three areas. This will be updated in the guidance shortly.

The government has provided guidelines for spas reopening after lockdown, in the close-contact services section of its Working safely during coronavirus document.

The key takeaway for spas is that it remains mandatory in law for people providing a close-contact service to wear a clear visor/goggles and Type II Face Mask.

This news will be welcomed by the industry after a lengthy and disjointed battle to reopen after the first 2020 lockdown.

It also follows the encouraging development from the Department of Health that closing close-contact personal services would only affect the R rate by approximately 0.05 per cent.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Commons today (26 November) that the government will be officially reviewing the tier system and its effect on R rates a fortnight after lockdown ends.

In other UK territories spas and salons remain closed, with facilities closed in 11 Scottish regions and all facilities closed in Northern Ireland as it enters a second national lockdown.

However, destinations in Wales have been permitted to reopen following its firebreak lockdown.