#TTFCovid19: Several hair salon operators here are not jumping at the opportunity to reopen their shops although they have been allowed to do so under the extended Movement Control Order (MCO).
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) had said in a statement yesterday that besides barber shops, the sectors allowed to operate are registered traditional medicine services, hardware shops, electrical and electronic shops, optometrist shops, and full-service laundry shops were also allowed to operate.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said companies in the additional sectors listed may submit their application to MITI beginning Monday, April 13, 2020, from 9 am.
He said all applications must be made online at www.miti.gov.my and only applications that are complete and fulfill the conditions will be processed.
KUCHING: Several hair salon operators here are not jumping at the opportunity to reopen their shops although they have been allowed to do so under the extended Movement Control Order (MCO).
Hairdresser Chung Jian Ping, 36, said he has no plans to open during the MCO as health was more important than earning money.
“I think salons should not open during MCO. I don’t plan to open. I think it’s also not going to be easy to do my job give haircuts if customers are wearing masks,” he said.
“Aside from that, it’s not easy to sanitise the chairs and tools for each customer.”
At the same time, he said it did not make sense on how it was possible to maintain social distancing of one meter when he needs to stand close to a customer to give them haircuts.
He also feared that salons will become a place where people congregate as they wait for their turn, thus defeating the purpose
Chung added that it was better to only resume business once pandemic was over, as safety and human lives come first.
Another hairdresser, Alice Fong, 37, said she was not willing to take the risk of opening for business as she has two young children and is also living with her elderly in-laws.
“I personally feel that with the current Covid-19 pandemic, it is not suitable to let hair salons operate. It may cause a new wave of infections and further extend the MCO further period,” she told The Borneo Post.
“As a mother, I am worried because I have two kids at home. I don’t think I want to take this risk and will stay home to be safe.”
Salon owner, Lewis Fong, 43, also said that he has no plans to open until after April 28, when the MCO ends.
“I just don’t feel safe out there yet. I didn’t even go out for one month. I have had everything delivered to me.”
On the government’s move to allow hair salons to operate, he said that it may be good for the economy, as long as hairdressers really practice high standards of hygiene.
He added that in Singapore, hair salons were considered essential services.
The MCO has really hit the business operators hard as it is tough for those who are running their own businesses, he said.
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