Hairdressers will not be allowed to reopen until “July at the earliest”, the government has confirmed, adding to the woes of an increasingly shaggy-haired nation of Brits.

Reports earlier this week had said that hair salons and barber shops could open their doors again on June 15 if stylists wore “dentist-style PPE” but the PM’s spokesperson shot down the claims on Wednesday.

They said: “The road to recovery plan sets out that we are looking to open hairdressers from July at the earliest… that’s one of areas we have a ministerial led taskforce on.

“That will be subject to scientific advice at the time.”

Social media has been awash for months with haircut disasters from around the world as people learn to live under lockdown.

Boris Johnson has flagged that more restrictions will be eased on June 15, beginning with the reopening of other non-essential retail shops such as fashion or homeware retail.

Other businesses, such as pubs, and cinemas will have to wait until July before they can reopen, the government has previously said.