Lockdown: Barber shops have seen 50% decline in income – Dhaka Tribune

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'Many shops are suffering because they cannot give enough space to customers after maintaining health guidelines'
Due to the ongoing countrywide coronavirus lockdown, men’s hair salons in the capital have lost half of their incomes, barbers and shop owners told the Dhaka Tribune on Monday.
“Compared to the pre-lockdown period, my shop’s income has dropped by about 50%,” said Akram Hossain, proprietor of New Gents Parlor at Elephant road. 
“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, people are not venturing out of their homes. People are also afraid of coming to salons as maintaining social distance is very difficult,” he added.
Earlier, per day Akram would get 25-30 regular customers. 
“Yesterday, I got only seven customers. Last month, two of my barbers quit their jobs and went to the village, as there are not enough customers to serve, which means no tips,” he further said.
A cuts the hair of a man at a at Tikatuly area in the capital on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
“Even maintaining health guidelines does not help,” he said. “I disinfect my shop regularly, wear a mask, and sanitize my hands and equipment before cutting the hair of each customer. But that costs more money too.”

Anwar Hossain Mitul, owner of Clean Hair Cut at Azimpur, said they have started a home service where barbers go to the customer’s home to cut hair.  
“But that received very little response. My business has dropped by 50-60%. There is no pressure or line for customers. Earlier, customers used to wait for us,” he added.
Barbers cut the hair of men at a at Tikatuly area in the capital on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
Mohammad Sayeed Hussain, owner of Luxury Hair Fashion at Lalbagh, said: “I had three junior barbers; I let them go last month due to the lockdown. I am receiving 30-50% of customers per day compared to last year. I do not know how I will pay the shop rent.
“If this situation continues for two months, I have to shut down my shop, there are additional expenses to run the shop,” he added.
Dhaka South Samiti General Secretary Nurul Islam Robi told Dhaka Tribune that as people have been grooming at home by themselves. “Many barber shops are suffering because they cannot give enough space to customers after maintaining health guidelines,” he added. 
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