Hair And Beauty Salons To Reopen After 84 Days Of MCO. Here Is The SOP You Must Follow
On Saturday, 6 June, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all hair and beauty salons can resume operations beginning 10 June 2020.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 09 Jun 2020, 03:41 PM
After almost three months of staying at home in compliance with the Movement Control Order (MCO), Malaysians can finally get a haircut at hair salons nationwide beginning tomorrow, 10 June
Hair salons, along with other close contact services such as beauty salons, were among the businesses that remained close during the MCO, which began on 18 March.
Since the number of COVID-19 cases has been on a downward trend over the past few weeks, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had on Saturday, 6 June, announced that hairdressers and beauticians will be allowed to go back to work this coming Wednesday.
The news has sent hair salon owners into a frenzy, with many customers calling in to make an appointment.
A hair salon in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur is reportedly fully booked for 10 days straight up until 20 June. Therefore, customers are encouraged to make an appointment if they wish to get their long-awaited hair cut as soon as possible.
However, all salons and customers must adhere to a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) as laid out by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP).
To keep you informed, here are some key takeaways:
1. Opening hours
Beauty and hair salons can operate from 9am to 10pm daily. Employees are allowed to be on the premises an hour before and after the opening hours for preparation and cleaning duty.
Senior citizens above the age of 60 can only visit the salons in the morning between 9am and 11am, according to a frequently asked questions (FAQ) sheet on KPDNHEP's website. No other customers from other age groups are allowed to be on the premise when a senior citizen is receiving the service.
It is also stated that only salons registered with local authorities are allowed to operate.
2. Be prepared for a price hike between RM5 and RM10
Salons are allowed to charge customers no more than RM10 to cover expenses for disposable protective equipment used during operations.
The surcharge will cover the cost of gloves, aprons, and capes - all of which must be thrown away after completing a service for a single customer.
However, KPDNHEP reminded salon operators that the new rates should be in accordance with the extra costs that need to be borne by the business.
KPDNHEP suggests that hair and beauty salons display the price of each additional item to avoid any confusion.
If there is a case of profiteering, customers can file a report to the ministry at 1-800-886-800 or via email at [email protected].
4. Each customer must be seated 2m away from each other at hair salons
There is no definite limit on how many customers can be on the premise at the same time. This is subject to the size of each business premise.
5. Only customers are allowed to be on the premise
No guest is allowed to wait for their friends or family members at the salon, except for parents and guardians of children under the age of 12.
6. Each customer should have the government's MySejahtera app ready on their smartphone before entry
This requirement is to allow an easy contact tracing process in an event of a COVID-19 outbreak at the premise.
The application will record the customers' names and phone numbers.
7. Massage services are strictly prohibited
The prohibition also includes services such as bathtub treatments, jacuzzis, body scrubs, and saunas.
Other services, such as ear cleaning and trimming of nostril hair, are prohibited as well.
8. Customers can only be on the premise for a maximum of one hour
This will make some services unavailable, such as hair colouring services.
9. Customers with a body temperature above 37.5ºC will not be allowed to enter
The salons should record the temperature of each customer in a registration book, reported Malay Mail.
Employees' temperatures must be recorded each day as well to ensure all staff members are healthy.
Any employee showing signs of COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to work, and this includes those who are a close contact to COVID-19 cases or patients under investigation (PUI) for the virus.
11. Customers must wear face masks on the premise
This includes parents or guardians accompanying their children below the age of 12 on the premise.
12. Customers are encouraged to make advance appointments
Walk-in customers are only allowed when there are no other customers on the premise.
However, senior citizens can only receive services on an appointment basis.
13. Workers must disinfect equipment and seats
Other than disposing of all single-use protective equipment, hairdressers and beauticians must disinfect the seat and tools, such as scissors and combs, after completing a service on each customer.
According to Malay Mail, hair salons must carry out cleaning and disinfection three times a day, especially on frequently touched surfaces, such as payment counters and doorknobs.
