A 5 Star Hygiene and Safety Response to Covid-19....

May12, 2020

As one of the leaders of Nottingham's 5 Star Tattoo Hygiene and Safety Accreditation Scheme we take our cross-contamination policy very seriously. With the onslaught of Covid-19 and in response to the Government's new Recovery Strategy published on the 11th of May 2020 (here and address provided below), the team at Vellum Tattoo have put together a plan to ensure the safety and health of our clients when we eventually reopen.

Firstly, as you may be aware, the Government has currently notified us that the earliest date that retail shops, which may include Tattoo studios, may be able to open is the 4th of July, and, that this date is contingent on the state of the virus and it's containment. Whilst we are preparing for this opening date we obviously cannot guarantee that we will be allowed to open then, and so we are contacting all our clients who are currently booked with us to rearrange their bookings for dates after the 4th of July. Our artist are now taking new bookings for after this date. If you have any questions about this feel free to contact us by email, Facebook or Instagram

We have listed below the actions that we are undertaking to ensure that we meet the guidelines set out by the Government and in some areas we have chosen to go above and beyond these guidelines. We know that Tattooing and Piercing is an often overlooked industry and the regulations that cover it are commonly set at a lower standard than we believe is right for a cosmetic procedure (for further information about this please check out our 'How to Spot if Your Tattooist is Hygienic' article here. ). There are and will be many amazing tattoo studios out there who will also be taking these precautions and you will be able to find out what they are doing on their websites and social media feeds. I always advise you do this before visiting a tattoo studio - especially under the current restrictions.

The list below is subject to change and we will be contacting all of our clients before their appointments to check that they are well and to clarify any changes in procedure that they need to be aware of.

1. We will be increasing the amount of space available to our artists in our studio to ensure that social distancing between clients can be maintained. This will mean extensive changes to our space and the loss of our beautiful and much loved Library waiting area. Don't worry though, our new studio area will still have that same relaxed and welcoming atmosphere!
2. Appointments will be staggered to ensure minimal contact between clients, please ensure you arrive promptly for your appointment and not in advance - this will also make sure we have time to clean the studio properly between clients.
3. We will no longer be able to accept walk-in appointments or consultations - Sorry!
4. Consultations will be conducted where possible by phone, video call or email and any necessary physical consultations will be made my appointment in advance and at a time of low use of the studio.
5. All of our artists will be wearing facemarks and face screens and we will be providing facemarks for all of our clients (you will be welcome to bring your own if you prefer).
6. Everyone who enters the studio will be asked to wash their hands on arrival at a suitable wash hand sink and provided with gloves.
7. All staff, including receptionists, to complete and display covid specific cross-contamination training and WHO training - we all already have our Tattoo Hygiene and Cross-Contamination certificates!
8. Touch point cleaning will take place between all movement in the studio and over all surfaces in use at regular and appropriate times throughout the day.
9. We will unfortunately be foregoing all unnecessary physical contact - sorry guys, no hugs or handshakes!
10. All equipment used with our clients will either be disposable, covered by non permeable disposable covers or sterilised after use - this is standard procedure at our studio anyway.
11. Our release forms will now be paperless and there will be a tablet for clients to sign them. The tablet and pen will also be cleaned between use​.

​Finally, if anyone has any questions or comments please leave them in the comment section below or contact us directly by email!

Stay Safe

​Jai


(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/884171/FINAL_6.6637_CO_HMG_C19_Recovery_FINAL_110520_v2_WEB__1_.pdf)

---

Goodbye to our lovely old Library...