Senior minister: Barbers, hairdressers, personal grooming businesses can resume operations on June 10

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — The government has finally allowed barbers, hairdressers, and personal grooming businesses to resume operations amid tight regulations beginning this Wednesday, June 10.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his daily briefing made the announcement today, adding the permission to resume also affects manicure and pedicure businesses, as well as those offering facials.

“This industry involves over 74,500 employees and this sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic products is around RM13.5 billion, so it is a big contribution to the nation’s economy.

“After the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs presented their suggestions, a meeting decided to allow barbers, hairdressers, hair salons, and those offering facials to resume business beginning June 10.

“This is of course with tight standard operating procedures; and includes basic hair cuts, hair wash, shaving of facial hair, makeup and hair treatments, manicure and pedicures, and facial treatment centres,” he said.

Ismail, when asked, affirmed that the permission to operate also affects barbers and hairstylists providing house calls.

“House calls are safer because there is no mixing with the rest of the customers, where even though with social distancing there might be three to five spots, when at home there would only be one.

“So yes, the permission includes those engaging stylists to their homes, where at home they won’t be mixing with others; we will allow it,” he said.

Among the regulations, businesses would have to adhere to include the single-use of disposable safety gloves and aprons for both the stylist and customer that must be changed after every patron.

As for senior citizens above the age of 60, Ismail said such businesses must tend to such customers on an appointment basis only, suggesting possible staggered timing, especially for the high-risk groups.

“We ask for specific timing to be set by these shops, to avoid customers mixing with others; for example, they could maybe designate 10am to 12pm for senior citizens only, because senior citizens are among the high-risk groups (to contract Covid-19),” he said.

For stylists handling underage children, who are also considered to be within the high-risk group, Ismail said they must be equipped with face masks, aprons, and a face shield.

“The general SOPs of having the person’s temperature taken, providing hand sanitisers and record-keeping of customers’ names all still apply,” he added.

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