Here’s Why Your Hairstylists Should Be Following Necessary SOPs, Warns Public Health Malaysia

We are constantly reminded by the government to always wear our masks, practice social distancing and to always sanitise our hands. However, some people out there are still quite stubborn and refuse to do all of the above.

Recently, Public Health Malaysia has posted about the importance of practising SOPs, especially when at the hairstylists’.

To give an example, they used the incident of two hairstylists in Missouri, America who tested positive for Covid-19 but because they practised all the SOPs, their customers were not affected at all.

A malaysian barber cutting hair while following sops.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a hairstylist (stylist A) in a salon in Missouri developed respiratory symptoms on 12th May (Day 0) and continued working until Day 8 when they received their Covid-19 positive result. Stylist B who was working alongside the stylist A developed symptoms on 15th May (Day 3) and continued working until Day 8. On Day 10, they received their Covid-19 positive results.

In that time span, both of these stylists had about 139 clients and as they were all required to use face masks no matter cloth or surgical, none of their clients tested positive and neither did their colleagues. Most of the customers interacted with the stylists for more than 15 minutes in close proximity.

It has been said that Stylist A and B interacted without wearing masks during their client intervals. Four of Stylist A’s family members tested positive for Covid-19 as they all live together. None of Stylist B’s close contacts showed any symptoms.

A malaysian barber sanitising the seat after the departure of a customer.

Even if this incident happened in a salon, it goes to show that social distancing and the usage of face masks everywhere really works. As the Covid-19 cases continue to rise, all of us need to work together to make sure that the community is safe for everyone. #KitaJagaKita

Also read: Fabric Masks Or 3-Ply Masks? KKM Releases Info On What Masks Are Suitable For You