So, within the past week, the Coronavirus has gone from looming in the back of our minds to taking over our every waking moment. But, Do my clients need to worry?
I am now taking bookings again for parties and events and keeping an eye on the news for what the department of health and government suggests. So, there are things we can do as professionals to minimise the risk to our clients. This is why it so very important to hire a professional over a hobbyist painter. We have stringent routines we follow Please be assured that as a professional face painter, I will always adhere to strict hygiene rules regardless of what virus is circulating...
To put your minds at ease this is how I will be handling the situation , bookings and cancellations. Please get in touch if you have any concerns at all regarding a booking.
One sponge per child - A fresh sponge is used for each child which will not be reused on another child’s face. These sponges will then be put in a separate container to be sterilized with high heat after each booking.
Paint brushes are disinfected before AND after painting each child – I have a wide selection of brushes available for each job. All brushes are washed thoroughly and sterilised after every job . I am doing 3 pot system during the jobs
First is rinse in water
2 Soaked in 70% alcohol before re-use
Rinsed twice thoroughly with fresh water per child.
Face painting kit - it is often been wiped with disaffected wipes during the events
Stencils - They are sterilized after each use
Frequent and thorough hand washing - I wash my hands on arrival of event and before starting face painting, sterilizing my hands before AND after painting each child.
Clean water - I change the water regularly .Use a multiple pot cleaning system, containing clean water with cleaning solution in to maintain good hygiene in between paints.
Hand sanitizer - Before a kid have their face paint I have hand sanitizer available to squirt some on their hands and also I am using hand sanitizer between children
Face painting lips – I am avoiding painting lips with brushes and using disposable lipstick applicators /cotton swabs
Glitter on face - Glitter is in poofer or if I use brush will be used ones and not redipped into glitter
Face painting pots – Face painting pots are beening leave close just incase someone will cough or sneeze in paints , If someone touches any paints, it will be fully sterilised before being used again . The paint is high quality and manufactured with anti-bacterial ingredients, so has preservatives in it to kill bacteria, mold or yeast.
Skin conditions – I do not paint anyone with open sores, rashes, infections on their face or anyone who appears to have a cold. Children need to have clean face to have their face painting
Deep cleaning our kit - After each booking, I sterilize everything my kit thoroughly before the next booking, it is a time consuming process but an important one that we never miss, I leave enough time in between bookings to complete the task.
CANCELLATIONS: - Should you decide you need to cancel or postpone your event, please just let me know ASAP. You can transfer your existing booking fee towards a party any time within the next twelve months, so there is plenty of time to celebrate when everyone can safely enjoy the fun. Just a reminder that the booking fee taken at time of booking is transferable but non refundable.
Advice - Please remind your guests with flu-like symptoms to stay home! For now, stay safe, stay healthy, and wash your hands often.
Should You Cancel your event ? - At the moment, 16th March 2020, the government are advising that you continue with your day to day activities. See the below link:
As long as we’re all following the advice and washing our hands regularly, we’re doing the very best we can. We’ve seen this happen time and again in history. A decade ago it was swine flu and the issues surrounding that. Right now, we need to be sharing the CORRECT information on how to tackle this and stay safe. Social media is a hotbed of misinformation and opinions, if in doubt always refer back to your government website.