CUSTOMERS may ask barbers and hairdressers who are foreign workers for proof they are coronavirus-free, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

All foreign workers are required to be screened for Covid-19 before resuming work. They face being penalised if they fail to do so, he said.

“We will close down the shop if they do not go for the swab test. To open their shop, they need to do the test first.

“Customers can ask for proof before entering the shop or getting a haircut. Barbers can show them the letter from the clinic which did the test,” he told a daily briefing on Covid-19 security matters.

Last week, Ismail announced that barbers, hairstylists and beauticians could fully resume operations conditional upon their meeting health and safety guidelines.

Standard rules, such as social distancing, use of face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser, body temperature checks and face shields for children, apply.

They are allowed to resume business as movement restrictions are further relaxed under the recovery movement control order effective June 10 to August 31.

Ismail said house calls are allowed and even encouraged to reduce the risk of crowding at the salons. – June 12, 2020.