As barbers and hair salons are still under the list of prohibited services that cannot operate during the CMCO, these professionals have had to come up with creative solutions to keep their businesses afloat.
Many have taken to providing at-home hair-cutting services for those in their neighbourhood. However, in Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s latest announcement, this is also not allowed during this time.
In minute 21:45 of the live telecast today, the Senior Minister said that these at-home services were never brought to his attention and thus he cannot give a clear answer as to whether it can be approved or not until further notice.
However, Ismail Sabri did add that, “as of right now, cutting hair services and barbers are still under the list of prohibited services. So it doesn’t matter whether it is at home, in the office or in the hair salon/barbershop itself, the answer, for now, is still no.”
Meanwhile, an appeal has been made by barbers from the Penang Hairdressers Association, to provide financial assistance to barbers who have suffered financially from the Covid-19 outbreak.
“In Penang there are about 150 barber shops involving about 450 barbers. Our lives were severely affected. It’s been over two months since the store opened and we have no monthly income. We lose the source of income between RM2,000 to RM3,000 a month,” said chairman, M. Tamilmany in a statement recorded by BERNAMA.
While the association acknowledges the importance of safe social distancing and hygiene, the chairman said barbers are able to follow these SOPs and pleaded with the government to allow hair cutting services in green zones. “Many customers have asked us to go to their houses and cut their hair but we can’t because we are following the SOPs of the CMCO.”
Hopefully, the government can make a clear ruling on these services soon. In the meantime, the SOPs are to be followed as specified.
Also read: Malaysian Hairstylist Shows Men How to Cut Their Own Hair At Home During This MCO
