Hair we go – barbers and beauty shops back in business!

More than 500 hair and beauty salons across Galway reopened this week after being closed for the first 130 days of 2021.

And as patrons rushed back to get their lockdown locks cut and roots coloured, thousands of local shops geared-up for a full return to non-essential retail from Monday.

Barbers, hairdressers and other personal services, closed since December, reopened on Monday as part of the latest phase of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Shopping by appointment and ‘click and collect’ also recommenced before a full reopening of so-called non-essential retail next Monday.

Attendance at mass and other religious services was no longer criminalised as of this week, when in-person religious services returned.

Parish Priest in Bearna/Na Forbacha Fr Michael Brennan at his first mass back with parishioners in attendance on Monday morning said it was like a ‘resurrection’.  Fr Brennan said it was ‘a shock to the system to see a congregation again’.

PP in Headford Fr Ray Flaherty also thanked parishioners for their attendance. “Things are looking up, which is good. Keep well and keep safe,” he said.

Attendance at funerals and wedding ceremonies is now limited to 50, but only six people can attend wedding receptions afterwards or 15 if the party is held outside.

See full Covid coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie