Mixed feelings over reopening for business

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Chung Jian Ping

KUCHING: Many barbers and hair salon operators here are not immediately jumping on the opportunity to reopen their shops during the prolonged Movement Control Order (MCO) period, although they are now allowed to do so.

As Malaysia enters the third phase of the MCO, which would end this April 28, the government has decided to allow barbers, hairdressers and salon operators to reopen their shops for business, but only for haircuts.

Other sectors that are allowed to operate during the MCO are registered traditional medicine services, launderettes (not self-service laundromats), hardware stores, electrical and electronics stores and optical shops.

Alice Fong

Nonetheless, these operators must submit their applications to reopen for business to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry this Monday.

Chung Jian Ping, 36, said he would not open during the MCO as he regarded people’s lives to be more important than earning money.

“I think salons should not open during the MCO. I don’t plan to open. I think it’s not going to be easy to cut hair if the customers are wearing masks.

“Also, it’s not easy to sanitise the chairs and tools for each customer.”

Chung was also puzzled as to how he could maintain the one-metre social distancing while cutting his customer’s hair.

Adding to this, he also expressed his worry about barbershops and salons hosting crowds during the MCO, as the customers would have to wait for their turns for haircuts.

Lewis Fong

“It is better to resume service only after Covid-19 has been eradicated, or there’s a cure or vaccine.

“The safety and human lives must come first.”

For Alice Fong, 37, she said she would not be willing to take the risk.

“I personally feel that amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, it is not suitable to let hair salons operate. It might just cause a new wave of infections and the MCO could be extended further.

“As a mother, I’m worried because I have two children at home. I don’t think I want to take this risk – I just want to stay at home and be safe,” said Alice, who lives with her in-laws.

Edmund Yong

Another salon owner, Lewis Fong, 43, planned to remain closed at least after April 28.

“I just don’t feel so safe out there yet. I didn’t even go out for one month – I had everything delivered to me.”

On the government’s move, he said it might be good for the economy, as long as the hairdressers truly practised high standards of hygiene.

According to him, hair salons are considered among the essential services in Singapore.

“I think it’s good for the economy, helping some of the sectors to slowly recover because it’s really bad now.

“Still, they must follow the procedures outlined by the government and they must not be greedy. I think what the government is doing, is right – hopefully, people wouldn’t misuse the allowance.”

Meanwhile, Edmund Yong planned to open shop upon the receipt of the approval next week.

Chung tends to a customer at his shop prior to the MCO.

He said getting a haircut might not be considered essential, but those who had specific work requirements to look neat and tidy would be relieved by the government’s greenlight for barbershops and salons to resume their service during the MCO.

“For guys, they may need a haircut desperately as they have shorter hair and any untidiness is easy to see; unlike women who tend to keep long hair.

“It’s possible to cut the hair of our male customers even if they’re wearing face masks; for women wearing masks, it’s a bit harder,” said the 38-year-old when contacted.

Yong said upon his salon resuming operation, he would provide sanitisation for each customer coming in, and would sanitise the chairs and all the tools after every session.

“On social distancing, I would not allow too many customers coming in at the same time – maybe one person at a time,” he said.