THE compliance rates of barber shops and beauty salons on the island and mainland are getting better each day since they are allowed to operate during the recovery movement control order (RMCO).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was pleased to note that the barber shops and beauty salons on the island have recorded a 100 percent compliance rate based on inspections of 709 out of 1,106 premises carried out by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) as of yesterday (June 15).
“This is based on the announcement by state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo.
“On the mainland, I was told that the compliance rate is 85% as of today.
“This is such a good improvement for the Seberang Perai area compared to the first day of RMCO on June 10 when it recorded only 15% compliance rate.
“This also shows that many of the barber shops and beauty salons have started to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) at their premises,” he added.
“Thus, I hope this good momentum will continue as we fight on to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Penang,” Chow told reporters during his visit to the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) building in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam today.
Asked about the reopening of entertainment premises in Penang, Chow said he has brought the matter to the state National Security Council (MKN).
“The state MKN will then discuss the matter at the federal level.
“Although Penang is among the states with high compliance rates in terms of SOP, we still cannot decide on our own. We must wait for an official announcement from the Federal Government regarding this matter.
“But we do take note of such request from the society. Hopefully, they will make an announcement on the matter soon,” he added.
Chow also urged the management of non-Muslim houses of worship to ensure their worshippers comply with SOPs when they start to reopen from today.
“Crowd control, body temperature checking and social distancing are among the things that must be done to prevent the virus infection,” he said.
Yesterday (June 15), Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all 5,230 non-Muslim places of worship are allowed to operate but subject to stringent SOPs.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis