Is it Safe to Get a Tattoo During COVID-19?

To stop the spread of COVID-19, the doors of businesses including the personal care service industry were shut down by late March.  

Now that nearly all states are in the unlock phase amid the pandemic, tattoo parlors received the green light with a rigid set of conditions under the new normal.

Tattooing is a contact activity, chances of getting contaminated with the virus are great. Even with all the precautions in place serving an infected client cannot be discounted and the spreading of the virus cannot be prevented. 

It’s best to avoid it right now but if you must, figure out a place that’s safe.

Cleanliness and Safety 

Compliance with the precautionary measures will change the appearance of tattoo shops, still and all it’s for the safety of the customers and the staff. 

Health screening

The body temperature of the staff is constantly monitored and clients have to be checked with a contactless thermometer. If the reading is over 100.3 they will not be accommodated. 

Standard disinfection

Customers will be sanitized with at least 70% alcohol before entering and required to wash their hands. 

Standard disinfection will be carried out at the beginning of the day and after serving every client. This includes work stations, lounge, floors, counters, equipment, walls, toilet, hooks and handles, chairs, printers, and more. A client’s phone, tablet, and other carry-on will be disinfected.

Protective equipment is required

The staff and clients are required to wear standard masks, face shields, and gloves. As a safety bonus, the staff will wear aprons, washing of hands, and of course, social distancing will be practiced at all times.

Reduced capacity

The number of tattoo artists and customers will be limited based on the capacity of the salon. Staggering shifts among artists can accommodate more clients, happy clients are good for the business. 

Companions are not allowed.

Reduced contact

Contact between the artist and the client is inevitable, clients are offered a pair of disposable gloves as a safety measure.

Guidelines are Set by Shop Owners

Aside from the guidelines set by the health department tattoo shop owners have their own.

Some owners require their employees to take COVID tests every two weeks. Clients who pass the temperature check but show symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath are asked to change their booking.

Patrons are required to fill up the information sheet for contact tracing.in case of infection.

Others use social media platforms to request sick clients or those awaiting COVID test results to stay home until they are well.

Walk-ins are Not Allowed

Tattoo service is for call-ins only, walk-ins are not allowed. Customers should understand that during pandemic safety is of utmost importance to protect both clients and staff.

People who call on the same day to inquire if they can be tattooed or not. Call-ins will minimize the number of people in the shop and walk-ins who will leave without a tattoo.

Customers should adjust to the new normal previous practices are a no-go. Before, patrons will drop in about a half-hour early and hang out before their turn. Be on time during the appointment and leave after the tattoo is done.

A Postponement May Take A While to Reschedule

Some people have to put off their appointment because of a change in the work schedule.

A salon can accommodate only a limited number of artists, it will be hard to squeeze in a reappointment between the existing schedule. Unfortunately, these people can be tagged at the end of the waiting line.

Many tattoo artists have customers booked in advance and a reschedule will complicate their calendar.

Social distancing limits the space where artists can work, thus the number of customers is reduced.

You don’t know when a shut down will be enforced, the reschedule might be hit and more waiting time.

Increase in Minimums

Shop owners do things that were not done before like disinfecting after every customer, providing disposable protective equipment, limiting the number of artists and customers, paying rent and bills during shut down, and more. All of these boils down to reduced or negative bucks for the business. 

Tattoo artists are on the same boat; they spend time cleaning after every customer goes, appointments are down, and they are at risk of getting infected.

They have to raise their prices to meet the daily cost of operations and some profits for food on the table.