A Christchurch barber is preparing for a late night on Wednesday as clients get a quick trim before returning to work tomorrow.
Photo: 123RF
At midnight tonight, when New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2, Cathedral Junction Barbers will open its doors for people wanting a pre-dawn haircut.
Owner Conrad Fitzgerald told Morning Report he has received at least 50 calls from clients.
"We're ready to roll, absolutely," he said.
"Initially I was hoping to be... shutting the doors at 2am and just do a couple of hours stint kind of thing because I've got to be back at 9am tomorrow, but it will probably be closer to 3am."
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Morning Report host Corin Dann admitted he'd let his beard grow out and asked Fitzgerald if he thought beards would be here to stay.
"I think Covid beard is going to be number one priority... after six or seven weeks a lot of these are going to become a permanent fixture," he said.
"I think there'll be a lot of shaggy locks and a lot of big beards.
"People starting work again on Thursday, they want to look good on Thursday, so they're prepared to come in at midnight."
Coronavirus: Barber to open at midnight
Fitzgerald was unsure if a new 'Covid-look' will be born out of the lockdown, but does suspect some people will flirt with the idea of keeping their longer hair.
He also said his barbershop will follow all the appropriate safety protocols for his staff and clients.
"I went into the shop yesterday and honestly it's like a hospital.
"Everything's just so sterile and there's hand sanitiser everywhere and everything is sprayed down, everything that's disposable is disposable... you've just got to be sensible."