Over a thousand barber shops decide to stay closed
Abdul Hakim Rahman
April 11, 2020 22:09 MYT
ASTRO AWANI
Over a thousand barber shops decide to stay closed
Deputy President of the Federal Territory and Selangor Indian Barbers Association, Akillan Anandakrishnan, said they did not want to take health risks despite facing economic pressures. - Astro AWANI
KUALA LUMPUR: More than a thousand barber shops in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor have decided to stay closed until April 30 despite being allowed to operate from next week.
This was because the risk was too great not only for the customers but also for the barber shop employees.
Deputy President of the Federal Territory and Selangor Indian Barbers Association, Akillan Anandakrishnan, said they did not want to take health risks despite facing economic pressures.
"Before the Movement Control Order (MCO) was extended until April 28, we have all decided not to operate until April 30.
"Most of our association members are concerned about the risks of infection if they decide to operate," he told Astro AWANI.
Even if the members want to operate, they must adhere to the strict guidelines such as having a body temperature scanner, conducting sanitation process as well as ensuring distancing between customers.
Akillan said despite the barbers were losing a source of income for some time due to inaction, the decision may save lives.
The government on Friday announced several economic sectors including barber shops and laundrettes were allowed to operate from April 13.
ASTRO AWANI
PUTRAJAYA: Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has urged the government to continue to suspend operations of barber shops allowed under Phase 3 of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
He explained the government could allow plan for such premises to reopen but it should not be implemented while the order was still in force.
"I am sure many people were affected by the MCO 1 and 2. We are still fighting COVID-19 but we have not won yet. What is important is action. And we have seen some early signs of success.
"Among the actions that have succeeded in bringing down cases are border control, restriction on gathering and social distancing practices," he said at a press conference here on Saturday.
At the same time, Dr Noor Hisham said, phase three of MCO should be tightened just as it was in the first and second phase.
"All our actions need to be tightened in Phase 3 of MCO. In terms of planning to open or restrict movement, the MoH recommends that we maintain what was done during phase one and two. Perhaps planning can be done but delay its implementation for now," he added.
However, he said, plans to reopen barber shops could be made after phase three of MCO but it would depend on the country's achievements in reducing COVID-19 cases.
"We need to see after the third phase, what are our actions. So, the planning begins now.
“But what is important we need to monitor the daily data and see for ourselves whether we have achieved the projection to reduce COVID-19 cases in our country,” he said.
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