PETALING JAYA: Barbers have been left high and dry by Putrajaya’s decision not to allow them to operate during the second movement control order (MCO).
This has left them without a source of income, yet again.
Hanif Harun, 30, who had only opened his barber shop four months ago in Tanjung Karang, Selangor, said he was facing an uncertain future.
His concern is not just for himself but his six workers, who depend on commissions and a salary from him.
“Since I’ve only just started operating, I haven’t seen any profit yet. We’ve just started getting regular customers and then this MCO happened.
“If we don’t open for business, how are my workers going to survive? I may have to use my own money to help them,” he told FMT.
Hanif said he may be able to survive if the MCO only lasts two weeks, but he feared the lockdown would be extended.
“I need RM8,000 every month for my operational costs. I’m really hoping that after these 14 days, some leeway will be given by the government and we will be allowed to operate again.”
MCO 2.0 was enforced on Wednesday in six states, including Selangor, which has been recording the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases, reporting 1,036 infections yesterday.
The MCO sees restrictions on interstate and inter-district movements, with several economic sectors not allowed to operate until Jan 26 at least.
TN Winda Tahir, president of the Malaysian Bumiputera Barbers Association, acknowledged the need for strong action to combat Covid-19 but expressed surprise and disappointment at Putrajaya’s decision not to allow hairdressers to operate.
He said barbers had yet to recover from the economic effects of the first lockdown.
“Maybe they can limit the operating hours or for haircuts to be arranged by appointment only. Barbers have been complying well with the standard operating procedures,” he told FMT.
He said operators still have to bear the high cost of rentals and have yet to receive any specific aid from the government.
Winda was also concerned that barbers may accept customers’ requests for a haircut at their houses, as was done by some last year. This would increase the risk of barbers transmitting the Covid-19, he said.