FB Hair by Appointment: Mosman Park hair salon faces backlash after announcing self-imposed vaccine mandate

A Mosman Park hairdresser has become the target of vile abuse by anti-vaxxers after telling her clients they needed to be double-jabbed or have a valid exemption to be served.

FB Hair by Appointment owner Fleur Bourne on Thursday sent out the message to her client base of more than 1500 people, including the vulnerable clients she is hoping to protect.

“Happy New Year from FB Hair by Appointment. Please be advised that to protect our clients, our team and our community against Covid, FB Hair will only provide services to clients presenting a vaccination certificate or medical exemption,” the message read.

Ms Bourne said while her staff were supportive of the move, it wasn’t long before some customers hit back at her new protocol with negativity that she didn’t expect.

“I got a really terrible response. I got about 20 phone calls. They were abusive,“ she said.

Some even called her personal number to threaten legal action.

“They’re saying they’re going to get me for discrimination,” Ms Bourne said.

The Mosman Park salon has had a number of appointments cancelled since the announcement yesterday.

“It’s obvious anti-vax people have taken it personally,” she said.

Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday announced sweeping new proof of vaccination rules across several industries including fitness, hospitality, entertainment and leisure that come into effect on January 31.

Hairdressing and beauty services are not among the industries covered by the new mandate, but Ms Bourne said she wanted to do everything she could to protect her staff and customers.

“I don’t really need to wait for the Government. I tried to be proactive. I took it upon myself for my business to go forward,” she said.

“I’ve divided my team into two so I don’t lose all my staff at once (due to an outbreak)“

Despite the backlash, Fleur said she was happy with her decision.

“At the end of the day I stand by what I’ve written. I want to keep my staff as safe as possible. I want to keep my clients safe.”