Petition To Reopen Tattoo Studios - Tattoo Supplies
Sign the petition here
Boris Johnson's latest update to the House of Commons on Tuesday 23rd June revealed the biggest easing of lockdown restrictions in the UK since social distancing measures were originally put in place. A number of businesses including hairdressers, pubs, bars, and restaurants have been given the green light to reopen on the 4th July, provided they are Covid-secure.
Although initially tattoo and piercing studios were classed in the same category as hair salons and barbers, they have been told that they must remain closed until further notice. This has came as a huge shock to the industry, who rightfully assumed that as they were categorised alongside hairdressers they'd be reopening from the 4th July too. It seems particularly unfair given the rigorous health and safety measures that tattoo studios already have in place, and the stringent cross contamination procedures that ensure studios are as sterile an environment as possible. It's not surprising that there's a lot of shared disappointment amongst the tattoo industry right now.
Gloves are worn throughout the whole tattoo process, and it's already standard practice for a lot of artists to wear aprons, and even face masks during the tattoo procedure. In terms of hygiene, a tattoo studio is one of the safest places you can be in. Tattoo artists are already fully committed to ensuring the safety of their customers, and have expressed their willingness to comply with any additional health and safety procedures outlined by the government to further safeguard their studio. Tattoo studios tend to have a lot less footfall than hairdressers, with each artist often dealing with just 1 or 2 clients all day, compared to hairdressers who accommodate a lot more customers on a daily basis in a non-sterile environment.
Despite this, there are no plans set in stone for reopening tattoo studios, and tattoo artists will have to wait longer to find out when they'll be allowed back to work. Since the government update on Tuesday, there have been a number of artists writing to their local MP's to address the issue, with others starting petitions for the reopening of tattoo studios in phase 3.
A petition started by Stuart Neil addresses UK Prime Minister: The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer: The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care: The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP and requests that the tattoo industry and the rest of the beauty industry should be allowed to reopen in phase 3.
In his letter to the government, Stuart states that "the tattoo, piercing and cosmetics industry supports almost 600,000 jobs in the UK as well as contributing over £27 billion to the economy every year". He adds, "Tattoo artists are trained and certified in blood borne pathogens and cross contamination as well as many other health and safety and sterilisation procedures and; by law, keep a record of every client that receives work. In addition, we undergo stringent Environmental Health inspections from our local councils annually as well as random spot checks throughout the year. It’s safer to be in a tattoo studio than any pub, restaurant or hotel".
We're hopeful that the government will take heed of the requests of tattoo artists and consider bringing the reopening date forward. If you haven't already signed the petition, then you can do so here.
Love from the Magnum Tattoo Supplies Team
Blog & image credits:
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/beauty/tattoo-studios-reopening-coronavirus-47510617
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53068212
https://www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-allow-the-tattoo-industry-to-open-in-phase-3?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_23027520_en-GB%3Av11&recruiter=84603687&recruited_by_id=665d2465-34ab-4cc4-b4b3-c2ce11e836d7&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&fbclid=IwAR0zFygP5b2B1i2o4Y5gFZWWaHr-1N1iu9XV8XlOKg4ydc9c9W6-bOEkJgI
- Antonia McLoughlin
Peter Nelson, Lord Nelson Tattoos
Karl Fletcher, Fleckys Tattoo Studio
