Australia’s Prime Minister has backflipped on the decision to limit hair appointments for 30 minutes amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Scott Morrison instructed all hairdressers and barbers to restrict their clients to just half an hour jobs.

There was a lot of confusion around the measure because many in the industry wondered how they would be able to cope with such short appointment times.

As a result, the Prime Minister decided to remove the stipulation.

In a statement, Mr Morrison said: “Following the receipt of feedback on the practical implementation of measures announced regarding barbers and hairdressers it was agreed by Premiers and Chief Ministers at National Cabinet last night that the instruction regarding 30 minutes per patron will be lifted.”

Places will still have to practice the one person per four square metre social distancing rule.

The announcement of the rule earlier this week left a lot of people in the hairdressing industry scratching their heads.

Many revealed they would prefer to close rather than offer timed appointments that would stress their staff.

Australian Hairdressing Council CEO Sandy Chong said the move was ‘outrageous’.

“Around 40,000 hairdressers and barbers continue to be at risk of as they are directly exposed to large members of the public. Why beauty was shut down but hairdressing wasn’t, I don’t understand,” she said.

“As for the 30 minute appointment rule, that cuts out most services that salons offer their clients, particularly colour.

“While many barbers can do a male haircut within that time frame, it really isn’t feasible for a majority of hairdressing salons.

“I would say that ninety nine point nine nine per cent actually want to close.

“They don’t feel that they can work within that 30 minute parameter, but also too just concerned for their own safety.”

The Prime Minister added that the rule around the number of people allowed at a funeral could be malleable, but he would leave that up to the discretion of the states and territories.

Previously, Mr Morrison said funerals could only accomodate 10 people or less, which also applied to personal training sessions. Weddings were restricted to just five people.

Many have joked that you could disguise a ceremony as a personal training group with some yoga pants and a singlet and get away with having your nuptials with 10 people.