MCO: Barbers, dobi and electronic shops among sectors permitted to open

[ UPDATE 11/4/2020 18:30 ] Ministry of Health urge barbers and other industries to delay reopening. More details here.

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The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has announced that the government is allowing several economy sectors to operate in phases according to the health and movement control order guidelines. The permitted industries cover automotive, aerospace, construction, social health service and even barber and laundry services.

In the announcement signed by International Trade and Industry Minister, Mohamed Azmin Ali, the Ministry has reviewed the additional sectors that are allowed to operate based on several considerations. This includes the importance of the sectors in the global value chain (GVC) and the country’s exports, to ensure the stability of export activities. Other factors include the activity of economic sectors with a high value-added multiplier, impact on the sustainability of SMEs in the economic sector particularly manufacturing and services, and the size of the workforce.

According to MITI, companies under the additional permitted sectors may submit their applications beginning Monday, 13th April 2020 from 9.00am. The applications are only accepted online at miti.gov.my. Only applications that are complete and have fulfilled the conditions will be processed.

Below is the full list of industries permitted to operate:

Automotive industry (limited to exports of CBU, parts and components, as well as after-sale services, e.g., maintenance)

Machinery and equipment industry

Aerospace industry

Construction projects and services related to construction works:

• Projects whereby the main contractors are G1–G2
• Projects that have achieved physical progress of 90% and above
• Tunneling works
• Maintenance works
• Sloping works
• Emergency works that are consequent to contractual obligations
• Maintenance, cleaning and drying of stagnant water, spraying of pesticides at construction sites which prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and other pests
• Other works that if left incomplete may result in danger
• Building projects with 70 IBS score and above
• Construction projects with accommodation facilities for workers, such as centralised quarters for workers or workers’ camp
• Professional services related to the construction industry including architects, engineers, town-planners, land surveyors, quantity surveyors, project managers, facility managers as well as other relevant services

Science, professional and technical services, including R&D (services incidental to legal practice, services incidental to oil and gas, R&D activities related to COVID-19, and testing labs for the sectors allowed to operate)

Social health services including registered traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practitioners

Hardware shops, electrical and electronic (E&E) shops and optometrists in the wholesale and retail industry

Barber shops (offering haircuts only)

Laundry services (only those offering full-service and does not include self-service laundrettes)

The permitted companies must comply with the requirements of the Standard Operating Procedure. They must also adhere to the enhanced terms and guidelines and the operating permits are subject to compliance with MOH requirements and other guidelines by other relevant enforcement agencies. Companies that failed to comply will have their operating permit revoked and legal action will be taken.

The Movement Control Order has been extended by two weeks until 28th April 2020. Last week, the Nasional Security Council had permitted several businesses to operate twice a week such as hardware store, spare part stores as well as suppliers for pet food, fertiliser and pesticide.

[ SOURCE , IMAGE SOURCE ]

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