The operators argue that the ban on transport has affected the movement of their clients. In some salons, the workers have been laid off due to low business.
Salon operators in Lira City are registering a decline in the
number of clients due to the covid-19 lockdown.
Last month, President Museveni announced several measures including the closure
of schools, suspension of religious gatherings and transport between districts,
for 42 days to contain the spread of covid-19.
The operators argue that the ban on transport has affected the movement
of their clients. In some salons, the workers have been laid off due to low business.
In most high-end salons in the City, the number of customers has dropped from
as many as 40 to about 10 in a day while in the smaller salons, they are not
registering a single customer.
At City Moments Salon and Spa along Oyite-Ojok lane, the number of customers
has dropped from 90 to less than 40 customers in a day.
Winnie Akullo, the acting manager of the salon says they can
serve a few of their customers who reside within Lira City while those outside Lira can't access their services.
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Monica Nyanga, a hair-dresser at Hair by Racho salon says that when
the lockdown was announced, the day passes without any client, unlike in the
past when she used to attend to 4 to 6 customers.
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Denzy Ntahondi, an operator at Denzy Salon who specialized in
dreadlocks says life is hard and risks losing his business to the landlord.
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Rachael Omiat another salon operator is worried about rent. She
wants the government to intervene and rescue their businesses.
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George Ogwal, manager of Eden Touch Salon which would serve over
50 customers in a day before the lockdown says they have been forced to lay off 8 out of 12 staff
because the number of customers has greatly reduced.