For someone who loved to keep a neat trim, staying at home during the lockdown period was not an easy task at all. My hair grew fast, and I was afraid if the lockdown was not lifted, I would feel very uncomfortable in my own skin.

Too much hair makes me itch. However, I was also fully aware of the dangers of Covid-19. So I had to choose between the lesser of two evils.

After the three weeks lockdown was lifted by President Akufo-Addo, I was ready to feel human again. In as much as I was still scared that Covid-19 was out there, my hair had grown bushy and my face was starting to look like that of a cave man.

I knew what I had to do but was I ready to do it?

I was afraid for my safety. Not because I am not a careful person but in Ghana, it is more about the next person not being careful.

I had already started washing my hands like 10 times a day, and kept little bottles of hand sanitisers handy. My sisters knew better than to come less than three feet near me.

But suddenly, the lockdown was over and I had to clean up so I could go to work on Tuesday.

I immediately booked an appointment with my barber, Silver Hair Cut. With a branch at East Legon, near AnC Mall which is opposite Radford University, one at Ogbojo after the Goil Filling Station and another at North Legon, opposite Papaye; I had to get in touch via Instagram to find out which one was operational.

I didn’t want a situation where I would get there and wait in a queue or spend time interacting with another person.

After I got a confirmation via their Instagram page @silverhaircutgh, I took my first step outside my home in three weeks. I can’t say I was surprised to see people outside, but I was bothered that most people were not practicing social distancing or wearing nose masks.

If there is a name for a phobia related with Covid-19, you can say I had it.

At the barbershop, I wasn’t greeted with the usual handshake and high five by the guys. Yes, they were still pleasant to me but it was in a way that showed some respect to the new protocols outlined by the Ghana Health Service and the World Health Organization.

I was asked to wash my hand before stepping through the door that had ‘no face mask, no entry’ boldly pasted on.
In the waiting area, the seats had been spaced to ensure that people don’t sit too close to each other. Also each customer received a disposable or washed cape before any services begin.

All the barbers and stylists were wearing face masks that covered the nose and mouth in a snug manner and so were the customers waiting their turn.
The rooms had air diffuser placed at vantage points to disinfect the atmosphere

I started to relax when I noticed that within a regular interval of about ten minutes; an attendant came round to sanitise empty chairs, tables, and doorknobs.

It was good to know that I was not the only person being careful. More people were interested in the fight against Covid-19 and together we were going to win.

My stylist was very professional and kept his distance throughout the whole exercise, even when he had to shampoo my hair at the sink; he wore eye protectors and kept his nose mask on throughout. I had never felt safer.

This made me wonder why this place has never considered doing these things before Covid-19.

Also, the introduction of a cashless mode of payment meant I did not have to give out cash.

Suddenly, I wasn’t soo scared of Covid-19, I realized that with the right measures and protocols being followed, there was nothing to fear and that was only after a trip to a barbering shop that I have been using for the past two years.