GRATEFUL to be allowed to resume work, barbers and hairstylists have fully adopted the government’s strict health and safety guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Barber shops and salons visited by The Malaysian Insight bore the hallmarks of the new norm, sporting social distancing markers spaced a metre apart and various versions of the hairstylist’s protective suit.

Customers, too, were satisfied with the health and hygiene standards at the barber shops and salons reopening today after an enforced shutdown of nearly three months.

N. Mathivanan, a barber at Muthu Hairdressing Salon in Nilai, was at his shop at 8am to prepare for his first customer at 9am.

Customers submitted to the standard routine of registration, having their body temperature taken, and applying hand sanitiser before they were allowed to take a seat.

Since Mathivanan is the only worker at the shop, only three customers are allowed in the shop at a time.

“Haircut is for one person at a time while the two others can wait inside but seats are placed one-metre apart.

“Others will need to wait outside. I lock the door once three people are in the shop,” he said. 

Mathivanan also frequently sanitises his tools in antiseptic liquid and uses disposable capes for his customers. He himself wears an apron, a mask and face shield and disposable gloves, which he changes with each customer.

“We have to ensure the safety of customers and ourselves. The government has allowed us to open because they trust we will follow the SOP and ensure safety always. So we need to follow that,” he said.

Mathivanan said that he had no choice but to charge RM5 more for each service to cover the extra costs.

Under the recovery movement control order, all sectors and services, except for those whose business involve mass gatherings, are allowed to open.

Hair and beauty salons may provide full services, including manicures and pedicures.

Elderly people aged 60 and above are advised to make an appointment to avoid having to join the crowd.

Same prices

Ros Kamat, 59, who runs Md Ros Hair Salon in Setapak Jaya, said he was relieved to be allowed to ply his trade once more.

He now allows only one customer into his tiny salon at a time. Walk-in customers will have to wait their turn outside.

“Some customers make appointments, some don’t. For whose who can’t wait their turn, I can’t help much,” he said.

Ros said business was slow but expected it to pick up in the coming days.

He has decided not to increase his prices because many Malaysians are financially straitened at this time.

“I charge RM15 for a haircut and RM18 for a haircut and shave. No increase in my prices,” the 59-year-old said.

Yang Seng Chun, who runs the E3 Salon in Setapak, said he has not hiked up his prices in consideration of his regular customers who have been coming to his shop for more than 10 years. 

Yang said it would take at least six months to recoup the RM100,000 he lost during the 85 days of closure.

“Monthly, I spend close to RM18,000 on salaries, rents and other expenses. If I include income, my loss is close to RM100,000.

Yang opened his salon at 10am today. By 2pm, he has had more than 20 customers.

Only six customers are admitted at a time to be served by the six workers in the salon.

He said priority is given to customers who make appointments.

“Once we are done with the appointments, we will take in walk-in customers because we must make sure the workers are free to attend to them,” the 55-year-old said.

 Happy customers

 Zulkipli Mohd Salim, 54, in Nilai, said he was happy to finally get a haircut after almost five months.

He said that he usually gets a haircut every two months.
 
“My hair has grown long and looks very untidy. I’m glad that the barber shop is finally open and I can get a neat haircut after nearly five months,” he said.

A customer in Md Ros Hair Salon, Mohd Shah Isa, an 18-year-old student, said praised the owner for not raising the price.

“The owners are taking the initiative to ensure our safety by following the safety procedures. They take our temperature, wear a mask and sanitise their equipment and tools. So I feel safe,” he said.

“Many shops have increased the prices because they have to bear the extra cost of (compliance with guidelines) but I’m happy that this salon hasn’t.”

Hair salons are permitted to open from 9am to 10pm daily. – June 10, 2020.