Nail techs, hairstylists feeling the COVID pinch

May 15, 2020
Luceana Thomas says that business has been very slow since COVID-19 came to Jamaican shores.
Luceana Thomas says that business has been very slow since COVID-19 came to Jamaican shores.
Hairdresser Sophia shows the hand sanitiser that she usses as a precaution against the coronavirus.
Hairdresser Sophia shows the hand sanitiser that she usses as a precaution against the coronavirus.
1
2

Some hairstylists and nail technicians along Beckford Street in downtown Kingston said they haven't been spared the wrath of COVID-19.

They expressed that due to restrictions placed on social gatherings, their clients no longer see the need to get dolled up.

"Remember no party nah keep so nobody nah come do no nails. It's only 10 people to a funeral now, so no whole heap a people not coming out to fix up," one hairstylist Luceana Thomas told THE WEEKEND STAR.

She said that persons are more interested in spending money on their basic needs.

"A bare food people a buy because remember them a stay home and it more important now," she said. "A first me see something like this. Usually on a regular day, me don't get less than 10 people. Right now me nah get no client. If you come work with a $500 or $1,000, it done and you have to end up beg bus fare go home."

A distraught nail technician said "Only one client me get since morning, but normally me do all three somebody already and me normally get all passers-by and ting. Right now a my mother and father me a depend pon, but me still have to come out same way. All a Thursday like now, town full but the place scanty."

Likewise, Sharon Park, who has been a hairstylist for more than 30 years, said it has been a rather tough season for her.

"A the first me ever stress so in a me life," she said. "Corona put me pon me face. If a never fi me minister me dead fi hungry. A him bring something come give me and my six chipmunks them to eat."

She added, "Me sit down here from morning a look. Me owe two months rent and $18,000 light bill and me cyah pay it."

Meanwhile, Sophia expressed that though business has been at a halt, she remains grateful for the loyal customers.

"A few people still come now and me just have to thank God," she said. "Me understand that the people them have to stay in because everybody have to look about them health. We all know what is what. Me can't curse and fight because I know what the situation is."

She is also taking measures to protect herself while tending to her clients.

"If somebody come to get anything done, me wash off them hands with the hand soap and when them finish, me use the alcohol and spray it. I want money yes but my health important too," she added.

Other ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É Stories