REGULAR visits to a professional dog grooming salon are a “fundamental part of a pet’s routine care and wellbeing”, says advice.
Apart from keeping your pooch‘s coat clean and free from knots and matts, groomers also check for fleas or ticks.
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Dog groomers provide specialised care for pampered poochesCredit: Mercury Press
Are dog groomers open during lockdown?
During England’s third national coronavirus lockdown, the government has allowed dog groomers to continue their services.
But, its advice stipulates that “animal groomers may continue to be used for animal welfare, rather than aesthetic purposes”.
The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) says it “considers that professional pet grooming is essential for a pet’s health and welfare and provides many health benefits which may not be immediately obvious.
“It is not undertaken for aesthetic purposes, which the dictionary defines as ‘concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty’.”
It adds: “Regular visits to a professional salon are a fundamental part of a pet’s routine care and wellbeing.
“It helps keep the coat clean and free from knots and matts, and in so doing help prevent more serious welfare issues building up.”
Emma Steadman offers a dog grooming service in Bude, Cornwall
Regular grooming helps to keep dogs’ coats clean and manageable:
- Unremoved hair from when a pet moults can form matts which can cause discomfort and skin complaints
- Pet groomers can do a quick health check and spot any unusual lumps or bumps which can then be referred for veterinary investigation
- They can also look for fleas or ticks, inspect their teeth, eyes and ears and make sure that claws aren’t overgrown
- Pet grooming promotes good blood circulation, keeping grease levels down which can block pores and cause cysts
PIF considers aesthetic purposes to be services such as creative grooming, facials, nail painting, and hair-dyeing.
These activities should not be undertaken during a lockdown, it adds.
Professional pet groomers provide an essential pet welfare service which is important to maintain during a period of lockdownCredit: Mercury Press
Are vets open during lockdown?
Vets and retailers of products and food for the upkeep and welfare of animals are open during England’s current lockdown, says the government.
The British Veterinary Association says that practices can remain open but it’s been agreed that “vets should only undertake work and see patients in-person for essential animal health and welfare reasons or to maintain the food chain”.
To keep Covid-secure, practices are maintaining social distancing.
For example, Village Vet St Albans (Caytons) is working in smaller teams to reduce the spread of Covid.
When pet owners arrive at the practice, they must phone the reception from outside to alert staff who – depending on the pet and type of appointment – collect the animal, and take it inside to the vets.
As payment at reception is not possible, this is done via remote payment links or over the phone.
Pawsatively chilly: people walk their dogs across a frozen pondCredit: PA:Press Association
What is open and closed during the lockdown?
Coronavirus cases continue to rise rapidly across the country.
All non-essential shops, hair dressers and nail salons have shut in England as part of tough new lockdown restrictions.
Schools will shut until the February mid-term.
Also closed are:
- Barbers
- Tattoo and piercing shops
- Beauty salons
- Tanning salons
- Gyms
- Leisure centres
- Betting shops
- Vehicle showrooms (except for rentals)
- Tailors
- Tobacco and vape shops
- Market stalls selling non-essential goods
- Community centres (except for providing education and training)
- Bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed except for takeaway and delivery
- Hotels, guest houses and B&Bs
- Indoor play centres and areas, including inflatable parks and soft play centres and areas (other than for people who have a disability)
- Trampolining parks (other than for elite athletes, people with a disability, supervised activities for children and for formal education or training purposes)
- Casinos
- Bingo halls
- Bowling alleys
- Indoor skating rinks (other than for elite athletes, professional dancers and choreographers, people with a disability, supervised activities for children and for formal education or training purposes)
- Amusement arcades and adult gaming centres
- Nightclubs and adult entertainment venues
- Laser quests and escape rooms
- Cinemas, theatres concert halls – other than drive-in events, broadcasting performances, training or rehearsal
- Circuses
- Snooker and pool halls (other than for elite athletes)
- Zoos, safari parks, and aquariums
- Other animal attractions including farms
- Water parks and aqua parks
- Model villages
- Museums, galleries and sculpture parks
- Outdoor sports venues such as gyms, tennis courts, golf courses
- Botanical or other gardens, biomes or greenhouses
- Theme parks, fairgrounds and funfairs
- Adventure playgrounds and parks, including ziplining
- Visitor attractions at film studios,
- Heritage sites such as castles, stately homes or heritage railways
- Landmarks including observation wheels and viewing platforms
Essential retailers, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and garden centres are allowed to stay open.
Pubs and restaurants – including McDonald’s – are able to operate takeaway and delivery services – but you won’t be able to order alcohol as takeaway pints are banned.
Shops can offer click and collect, plus delivery services. This includes shops that only sell clothing, toys or homewares.
Also open are:
- Supermarkets
- Pharmacies
- Garden centres
- Building merchants and suppliers of building products and off-licences
- Market stalls selling essential retail
- Businesses providing repair services but only if they primarily offer repair services
- Petrol stations
- Automatic (but not manual) car washes
- Vehicle repair and MOT services
- Bicycle shops
- Taxi and vehicle hire businesses
- Banks and building societies
- Post offices
- Short-term loan providers and money transfer businesses
- Funeral directors
- Launderettes and dry cleaners
- Medical and dental services
- Vets and pet shops
- Animal rescue centres, boarding facilities, and animal groomers
- Agricultural supplies shops
- Mobility and disability support shops
- Storage and distribution facilities
- Car parks
- Public toilets
- Motorway service areas
- Outdoor playgrounds
- Outdoor parts of botanical gardens and heritage sites for exercise
- Places of worship
- Crematoriums and burial grounds
Libraries can also remain open to provide access to IT and digital services
– for example for people who do not have it at home – and for
click-and-collect services.
Ducky the Yorkshire terrier has become a sensation thanks to his transformationsCredit: Jam Press
What are the current lockdown rules?
You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives, says the government.
On January 5, the Prime Minister announced a raft of new measures in a bid to drive down surging coronavirus infections caused by the mutant strain.
Under the new restrictions, Brits can only leave home for limited reasons.
Mr Johnson said people will only be allowed out of their homes to buy essential food and medicine supplies, attend medical appointments, and exercise.
Brits can go to work if it cannot be done from home, provide care for a vulnerable person and attend education if eligible.
Brigadier Phil Prosser, Commander of the 101 Logistic Brigade, spoke at a Covid press conference in January, 2021Credit: No 10 Downing Street / BEEM
All primary schools, secondaries and colleges moved to remote provision except for vulnerable and key worker kids.
Nurseries and special schools remain open.
People should not mix with other households but support bubbles and childcare bubbles continue.
Children who have parents separated will continue to be able to move between households.
Under the new rules takeaway alcohol is banned.
Weddings and civil ceremonies may only take place in exceptional circumstances.
Up to six people can attend a wedding or equivalent ceremony.
Social distancing rules still apply in EnglandCredit: AFP or licensors
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people.
Under the new measures, Brits are only allowed to exercise with one other person.
Outdoor sports venues are closed but playgrounds are allowed to stay open.
Brits are also banned from travelling unless absolutely necessary.
If you’re desperate to know when you can get your Covid jab, here’s an online calculator you can use as a rough guide.
