THE Penang government will not allow barbers to resume business as long as the movement control order is in place even though the trade is among the businesses that Putrajaya has allowed to reopen.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yew said the state’s special security committee was compelled to countermand Putrajaya’s order due to health and security issues.

“We are treating this matter seriously as more than 9% of public feedback indicated concern over the issue of barbers being allowed to do business now,” he said.

Among the concerns that were raised by the committee were the need for social distancing and the possibility of new clusters emerging should barbershops were to reopen, he said.

“Therefore, the state government has the right not to abide by Putrajaya’s decision, which we urge the federal government to review for the wellbeing of every party,” said Chow in a statement. 

Yesterday, Senior Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali announced that more sectors would be allowed to operate while the MCO is in effect, on the condition that they adhered to health and safety guidelines.

The automotive, aerospace and construction sectors, as well as traditional medicine practitioners, barbers and full laundry services, are among those given the green light to resume business.

Today, PKR youth chief Akmal Nasir also slammed Putrajaya for allowing barbers to operate during  the MCO period.

“I am sure men are already complaining about their hair. I am one of them. But as we are trying to contain the virus, we must not jeopardise the efforts of our frontliners in the hospitals, as well as those who are making a sacrifice by staying home and those who have lost their source of income,” he said in a statement.

“For the sake of our country, I disagree with Putrajaya that barbers should be allowed to do business.
 
Malaysians on social media have also expressed worry over the issue, which they said could result in new clusters.
 
News was also shared of a barber in Mississippi, USA, who died from the coronavirus, and of an infection in a hair salon in Fukuoka, Japan.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri told the press this afternoon that the government will review its decision on barber services.
 
“The ministry in charge will definitely look into this,” he said. – April 11, 2020.