The Malaysian government has announced that barbers, hairdressers and personal grooming businesses will be allowed to resume operations starting from this coming Wednesday, the 10th of June with strict SOP. This was announced by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at today’s National Security Council briefing.
Apart from barbers and hair salons, the permission also includes businesses that offer facials, manicure and pedicure services. It was reported that the industry involves over 74,500 employees and the sector contributes around RM13.5 billion per year to the country’s GDP, which is significant.
As part of the SOP, operators are required to wear face shields and aprons. Gloves must be replaced after each treatment or haircut. In addition, each customer must be given their own disposable aprons as they can’t reuse them on another customer. Operators are also required to wear face masks, conduct temperature checks, register contact details of customers and provide hand sanitisers at the premises.
Permitted activities include basic haircuts and washing, shaving moustache and beard, hair treatment, manicure, pedicure as well as cleaning and facials. For high-risk groups, including those aged 60 years and above, they must make an appointment and served alone without anyone else at the premises.
Sarawak state government had earlier announced that it will be allowing barbers and hair salons to resume operations starting 8th June 2020. However, they are limited to hair-cutting services only and must adhere to strict SOP.
[ SOURCE 2, IMAGE SOURCE ]
