Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday accepted the request of the Tamil Nadu Barber Workers Welfare Board and sanctioned Rs. 2000 as coronavirus relief to salon employees. CM Edappadi further notified that those employees who have not registered their names with the Barber Workers Welfare Board can also acquire the relief package after getting permission from the Village Administration Officer (VAO).

Salons across Tamil Nadu have taken a major hit ever since the nationwide lockdown, which began on March 25 and is set to come to an end on May 17. As of now, it remains to be seen whether salons and barbers will be allowed to conduct and reopen their businesses once again from May 18 as a new set of guidelines in what is being described as 'Lockdown 4.0' is expected to be announced later on Saturday. Considering the novel coronavirus can spread from an infected person and there have been reports of people contracting the disease at salons, it remains to be seen what measures will be taken by barbers and employees to avoid direct contact with their customers.