When NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced a further easing of restrictions last Monday, requests to reopen one particular industry came in droves.
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"Of all of the requests I've had as Health Minister in the last three months, this has been the one that I think has topped the barrel," he said.
He was referring to the beauty industry and now salons and nail bars across the state are preparing for reopening on Monday, June 1.
Local beauticians say they are excited but nervous about the news as they prepare for a booked-out first week of COVID-safe working.
Owner of Absolute Beauty, Kellie Thurtell said while new practices have to be put into place, she's keen to see her clients again.
"I didn't realise how much we'd miss the clients and just the interaction with people, I'm really excited and nervous at the same time," she said.
"There's big changes that will be made."
Just up the road on Kendal Street, Eye Spy Beauty owner Nicole Tidswell said it's been a "long two months" since she was forced to close.
"Well this has been the moment we have all been waiting for, for our clients and us that is," she said.
"To say we are excited to finally reopen the doors to our salon and get back to work is an understatement."
All beauty salons, tanning salons and nail bars will have to abide by strict hygiene practices and social distancing guidelines, as outlined by the government.
Kellie said she will be implementing measures such as temperature checks.
"We'll be checking temperature and documenting the comings and goings of each person as they come in," she said.
"We've ensured our team have all done COVID safety and sanitisation training... it's going to be more clinical but still relaxing."
Other measures include making sure clients come alone, spacing out waiting chairs and nail tables, providing hand sanitisers, using disposable gloves, aprons and towels or rigorously washing towels, removing magazines from the waiting area and encouraging clients to be on time with little to no jewellery or baggage.
Nicole said all salons will be extra vigilant to be COVID safe.
"We fully understand these restrictions are in place to help stop the spread and to keep the public and us safe and healthy," she said.
"We have no problem with implementing a few extra policies. The last thing we need is to be shut down again. So we will do what ever we need to to keep the salon open for treatments."
While salons have been selling products and providing online tutorials for treatments such as at-home facials during the closure, Kellie said the industry has been hit hard during the last two months.
"[It's been] like reopening a new business," she said.
"The first week I thought this was great, I thought I would love a month long break but then reality hit, we have no control over this, your business is your baby."
Nicole said the support from clients has been overwhelming.
"The supporting and encouraging messages we have received have been so touching and not to mention the booked out week we are about to head into," she said.
"We can not thank them enough."