KUCHING: It is not a wise move to open barber shops and hair salons for now, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing.
He said this was because social distancing was impossible between barbers and their customers.
The Federal government recently announced that some services including hair salons are allowed to operate during the movement control order (MCO) period, but only cutting of hair is permitted.
“Plus, coronavirus like to stick to metal surfaces,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii also disagrees with the federal government’s decision to allow barbershops or hair salons to resume business during this MCO period.
“We would put them at risk of infection because barbers and salon workers have to touch their customers when doing their jobs,” he said.
He also pointed to the fact that they would be in the same enclosed space for long periods.
“Would barbers and salon workers also expected to wear personal protective equipment? How social distancing would be practised in such a situation?” he asked.
Yii said he understood the struggles of barbershops and salons as their revenues have been badly affected by the MCO.
“But I believe all of them also want to work without fear or the risk of being infected. During this outbreak, we all have to make some sacrifices, and I believe it is always better to lean on the side of precaution for long term safety,” he said.
Many citizens also do not want barbershops and salons opened just yet.
An online survey by national news agency Bernama on Facebook on whether barbershops and salons should operate during the MCO period, 88 per cent disagreed, while only 12 per cent agreed as of 4pm yesterday.
