PENANG is not in favour of allowing barber shops and hair salons located in ‘green zones’ to operate, says state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo.
The state Local Government, Housing, Town and County Planning Committee chairman said the state would stick to its earlier decision to disallow hairdressing services despite the sector being given the green light by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) on April 10.
Following a storm of criticisms on social media, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said while the final decision lies with Miti, there were proposals for barber shops and hair salons to operate in green zones.
Green zones are districts listed by the Health Ministry as having recorded no Covid-19 cases. Red zones are districts with more than 40 recorded Covid-19 cases while orange zones have between one and 40 cases.
But Jagdeep, in a message via the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Facebook at Komtar today, said the suggestion to allow barber shops to operate in green zones would defeat the purpose of the movement control order (MCO).
“How are they to observe social distancing of one metre apart from each other? That cannot happen for the hairdressing service,” Jagdeep said.
“Social distancing is one of the main MCO components. It is one of the safety measures that we have ensured is complied with at the public markets and other premises.
“I appeal to the Federal Government to reconsider their decision. If the barber shops are allowed to open in the green zones, residents from other zones may go there. How are we going to control this? The green zones may be affected and become red zones.
“I do not see why it is difficult to reconsider (the decision). The MCO is only for the next two weeks and we hope to see positive news by the end of its third phase.”
The MCO, which started on March 18, has been extended twice, from March 31 to April 14 and then to April 28.
Besides hairdressing services, Miti has also given approval to some other sectors like electrical and electronic shops, construction, optometry and hardware shops to operate.
Jagdeep said even the hairdressing industries, including Malaysian Indian Hairdressing Salon Owners Association and the Malaysian Hairdressing Association president, said it is certainly not possible for them to practise social distancing.
“So, it is clear that they are worried not just over public health but also for the welfare of the barbers themselves.
“I hope all will understand with the decision that was announced by the chief minister on Saturday (April 11).
“Let’s hope all will cooperate and make the MCO a success.”
Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, who was also present at the FB live session, said hairdressing services would not only be disallowed in shops but also in homes.
“The main intention is not to stop barber shops from operation. The main intention is to cut down the chain of Covid-19 from spreading. That is the spirit of movement control order.
“But if we allow hairdressing services to homes, they may bring items like scissors, cloths and shavers that are not sanitised, then it doesn’t serve the purpose. It doesn’t serve the spirit of not allowing barber shops to be open,” Rozali said.
There are 386 barber shops and hair salons in Penang island and 1,259 such premises in Seberang Perai.
Also present were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali and MBPP councillor Nicholas Theng.
Yew said since the Jom Beli Online portal was launched on April 7, 140 hawkers from MBPP complexes and 40 Ramadan traders have registered to sell their food online via JBO@MBPP.
“This is an alternative for them to continue doing their business during the MCO. Of course, we are fully aware of the negative and positive views of this JBO from the social media.
“There are some hawkers who said this is not effective but there are other hawkers who thanked MBPP for the platform. Some said they have even achieved sales of up to RM600 per day.
“For those Ramadan traders who have their own online business, by all means go ahead. For MBPP, we just provide another alternative platform. For those who need our assistance, we welcome them to come on board,” Yew said.
MBSP, on the other hand, has decided to come out with a e-Bazaar Ramadan, a platform which will show other portals, Facebook and WhatsApp groups of all Ramadan Bazaar hawkers in Seberang Perai.
Rozali said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow would officially launch it tomorrow.
Story by K.H. Ong