THE Penang government’s decision to not allow barbers and hairdressers to open their shops during the movement control order (MCO) period has earned praises from certain quarters on the island.
In a survey conducted by Buletin Mutiara at the state administration complex in Komtar, those interviewed agreed with decision to postpone the shops’ reopening until further notice.
A check by Buletin Mutiara team in the city centre also found that the barber shops and hair saloons remain closed as they adhere to the state’s directive.
One of those interviewed was 33-year-old security guard R. Sivakumar, who gave his thumbs up to state for putting the plan to reopen the shops on hold.
“Personally, I don’t think this is the right time for them to resume their business.
“It is better to wait until the pandemic is at least under better control before allowing businesses to resume in stages.
“It is too risky to do so now as everyone will be flocking to the barber shops once the operation gets under way.
“The hardest part is to maintain a one-metre social distancing between the barber and then customer,” said Sivakumar in Komtar today.
Another interviewee, Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Jaafar, 39, also called on the Federal Government to reconsider to allow their decision in allowing hairdressing services as of now.
He said this was not the right time to allow the shops to reopen.
“Barbers and hairdressers tend to be most vulnerable as they need to serve many customers once their business starts,” he said.
Concurring with him was Koay Gaik Kee, 33, who said the state government’s decision was correct to prevent a close contact between a hairstylist and a customer.
“The social distancing of one metre apart from each other is not possible to maintain when it comes to a haircut,” she said.
A foreign bank manager, Boey Ka Loon, 32, said the barbers’ services are not an essential need.
He said people’s lives are more valuable than having a good appearance during this time.
“There is no need to rush things and allow the business to resume now.
“The current situation is not the best time yet as health authorities are still working hard to monitor the Covid-19 development,” he stressed.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Chan Kok Kuan