29 Mar 2020

Some hairdressers in Mahalapye have expressed concern over the temporary closure of salon businesses, saying they would be hard hit economically.

In an interview, a hairdresser at Apinton Hair Salon in Mahalapye, Ms Kenalemang Tapologo said since the outbreak of COVID-19 business had been running low, as Batswana were scared and avoiding crowded areas.

Ms Tapologo said her concern was the short notice of the temporary closure, saying it caught them unprepared; particularly that it became effective during a peak period of month end. “Our greatest fear is how we are going to face our landlords and pay schools fees and transportation costs for our children. I wish the government could at least issue us letters to give to our landlords to pardon us till the situation gets back to normal,” she said. Concerning precautions and following the Ministry of Health and Wellness guidance, Ms Tapologo said they were doing all they could to ensure that they curb the virus.

She said they bought hand sanitisers and they sanitised their customers as they entered the saloon.  Not only that, she said with social distancing they were doing well since they already had minimal turn up of customers.

Ms Tapologo said the impact of the virus had gone beyond being a financial burden but they were also experiencing psychological breakdown hence difficulty in coping with the situation.

Another hairdresser, Ms Refilwe Releseng said their greatest nightmare was the possibility of a lockdown, adding that they would have nothing to feed their children.

“It is very disheartening, we are really unprepared for that situation, we can only wonder as to how we will cope,” she added.

Ms Releseng further appealed to government to consider assisting them at least with food to feed their families during this pandemic. In a salon business, Ms Releseng said the time for making money was month end and beginning of the month, hence it was difficult to admit that they would be closing before cashing in.

However, she admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic had caught everyone off guard and called upon all individuals and businesses to comply to save the nation. ENDS