Tattoo studios’ doors across Canberra remain tightly shut until a slight easing of restrictions from 15 October allows them to reopen, but with strict conditions.
Freestyle Tattoo Studio and Sisters Inked, owned by Ben and Keshna Angelidis, have felt the effects of Covid-19, after opening their second parlour, Sisters, the day before the lockdown announcement on 12 August.
“We were able to operate for a day and a half, so it was obviously super tough. We were really excited to open and had a beautiful first day, so to have to close when you had barely opened was really upsetting,” counter hand Melissa Bottega said.
For her bosses Ben and Keshna, Ms Bottega said the application for business support from the government hasn’t been an easy process and paying two rents while being closed for over a month has been taxing.
She said the businesses finally received a grant in the last couple of days, and while it would have been better if the funds had arrived earlier, it’s a huge relief and a weight off everyone’s shoulders.
Braddon studio Outkast Tattoo Co. owner, Sophie Bilal, said she received her individual disaster payment relatively quickly this year compared to 2020, but has had no luck with the business grant.
“Last year it took weeks and months and multiple phone calls but this year it came quickly. I did also apply for the business payment, but I still haven’t heard anything back,” Ms Bilal said.
From 15 October, tattoo parlours will be able to open with a limit of one person per four square metres, excluding staff members, and can only have up to five clients at any one time.
Ms Bottega said the reopening plan isn’t the most practical, but they’ll make it work so the business can survive.
“It’s also tricky going back to work when you don’t have full capacity but then lose your government business benefits at the same time. When you’re a tattoo artist, you work as a contractor on commission, meaning you get paid per tattoo you do, so with limited working capacity it’s going to be a struggle for our artists,” she said.
Ms Bilal said she doesn’t like closing the books or turning anyone away, but people who had appointments before lockdown hit will be her priority.
“We have quite a few appointments to move around and after that, we will slowly trickle in new customers,” she said.
Ms Bottega expressed concern over returning to work before being fully vaccinated and said her young colleagues share similar anxieties.
“For us, one thing we chatted about was how it’s a big choice to go back to work when Covid is still a threat because a lot of people aren’t fully vaccinated, especially young people who make up a big portion of our clients. I’ve had one dose of AstraZeneca myself, but I’ve decided I’ll be getting my second one earlier than the recommended time because I’m scared to go back to work and put myself at risk without being as protected as I can be,” she said.
“Young people have had the least access to vaccines, making us the least protected, yet are at the forefront in the workforce and the most exposed. It’s quite tough and scary but we don’t really have much of a choice because we need to make money to survive.”
Ms Bilal said she’s one of the luckier artists right now as her studio is quite spacious, and she’s glad to have steps put in place after the first lockdown.
“We have quite large bays and when we had to adhere to the same rules last year, we marked out on the floor everyone’s specific bay area, and we made sure we have no support people in the waiting area so we can have the maximum number of clients,” she said.
“I take pride in making sure everyone who comes into my shop has the best experience, especially someone getting their first tattoo, so I’m really happy and excited to get back to work and keep doing what I love.”
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