PETALING JAYA: Despite not being allowed to open under the conditional movement control order (MCO), barber shops and hair salons are eager to resume operations.They were previously reluctant to reopen after the government announced last month that they could.

Malaysian Indian Hair Dressing Salon Owners Association (Mindas) vice-president Ganathiban Murugan said in the past, there were concerns of Covid-19 cases, but now they were eager to reopen as the number of cases had reduced greatly.

“We are eager to operate because there have been many customers telling us that they need to have their hair cut to go to work, ” he said in an interview.

Founded over 50 years ago, Mindas has around 800 members nationwide, representing Indian hairstylists and barbers.

Ganathiban, who is also Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Indian Hair Dressing Salon Association president, said the income of barbers had been severely affected since the MCO was enforced.

“For the past two months, we have been using our savings to sustain the business. We have to take care of the welfare of workers as well as our family.

“But now, our members are prepared for the potential standard operating procedure (SOP) that the International Trade and Industry Ministry will be giving, ” he said.

As initial preparation, he said they would use face masks and face shields when working.

Customers, he said, must make reservations to ensure social distancing in the premises, adding that temperature checks would be done daily for workers and patrons.

“We are willing to open with all the SOP in place. We support the government’s decision right now and will follow all MCO guidelines. We are hoping that by the end of

the MCO on May 12, we will be allowed to reopen, ” he said.

On April 10, the government announced that it would allow hair salons and barbers to operate during the MCO, but rescinded its decision the next day due to criticism.

Back then, industry players were also against the decision due to health safety concerns.

Malaysian Hairdressing Association president Michael Poh also said they were now ready to reopen, promising to comply with any decision made by the government.

He said times had been hard for hair salons, adding that some still had to pay for their shop rental.

“For now, we are just following the government’s decision, but we really hope that the next business that the government will allow to reopen will be us, ” he said.

Poh also encouraged its members to buy Covid-19 insurance coverage for their workers.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/03/barbers-ready-to-reopen-as-covid-19-cases-decline