PUTRAJAYA should consider allowing small entrepreneurs like barbershops, personal care (salon), tailors and car washes to run during the movement control order, said Afif Bahardin. 

The Seberang Jaya assemblyman, who is also the founder of Pemuda Negara, said many young entrepreneurs in these sectors risk going bankrupt if they aren’t allowed to operate during the MCO.

“The government can no longer simply assume that they are the cause of the spread of the Covid-19 infection.

“It is appropriate that the sector, which is almost entirely dominated by young people, is immediately allowed to operate again. The government can outline stricter standard operating procedure (SOPs) if necessary.

“The previous move to close down the operations of this group caused them losses, created cash flow problems, plunged these people into debt and on the brink of bankruptcy,” he said in a statement today referring to the rigid MCO last year.

When announcing the MCO 2.0, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said barbers and salons would not be allowed to operate as these services involve physical contact and pose a risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus. 

Ismail however said these services will be allowed to reopen if the number of Covid-19 cases in the country shows a declining trend. 

Afif, however, suggested that the government should use these sectors to be an example to other business sectors in ensuring that their operations follow the rules.

“If they succeed, we believe other sectors have no reason to disregard the SOP and at the same time support the government’s efforts today in facing the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are confident that entrepreneurs in this enterprise sector will give high commitment and discipline to the SOPs set by the government in carrying out their economic activities.

“We urge once again that the government, especially the National Security Council consider expediting reopening barbers, tailors and car washes to ensure their source of income and the fate of workers in this sector are guaranteed.”  – February 4, 2021.