THE never-ending lockdowns are no longer a quick trim for hairdressers and barbers as the industry said it has lost more than RM5 billion since the start of the pandemic.

They are pointing the finger at the government for allowing factories, which are causing the largest Covid-19 clusters to operate, at the expense of others.

United Hairdressing Malaysia and Malaysian Hairdressing Association (MHA) president Michael Poh told an online press conference small and medium enterprises like hair salons and barber shops really cannot cope with this difficult situation and cannot sustain any longer.

He said the hairdressing industry in Malaysia has followed the government’s standard operating procedure (SOP) since the industry was allowed to resume on June 10 last year and has not created any clusters.

“The main reason for not causing any cluster is because we have been complying with all SOP very strictly.

“We have even added more safety precautions to minimise the risk of transmissions, for example to sanitise our customers from top to toe before they enter our salons.

“We have created the best set of SOP for salons around the world and since we have been doing well, there is no reason to stop us from operating our businesses,” said Poh.

He said the government should not focus on manufacturing or essential or non-essential industries alone as every business is important.

He suggested the government open up all sectors and focus on those areas that have caused clusters.

“Lock down those particular areas for two weeks to carry out all proper disinfection works and conduct self-lockdown for tracking purposes and help them during the closure, but let those non-affected sectors to operate business as usual with strict SOP.

“For example, if a particular factory, shopping mall or residential area is infected and has generated a cluster, that area should be shut down.

“Stop them from going out, provide them food and financial aid and allow other sectors and areas to operate as usual.

“This is one of the best solutions to break the chain (of infections), and at the same time to elevate economic growth and save other citizens,” said Poh.

Poh said the hairdressing industry should not be ignored just because it’s non-essential.

“Hairdressing is an essential service as long or messy hair can affect one’s life physically and emotionally. People will become unpleasant and be depressed when they don’t look good or cannot manage their hair properly.”

Veteran hair stylist and MHA adviser Winnie Loo said the lack of any Covid-19 clusters from the industry is testament to its strong SOP.

“But what has the government done, but to lock us down. And how do I feel when our ministers have a great hair day when our clients cannot?”

Loo said it was unfair that hairdressers are being told to stay at home when the clusters are arising from the manufacturing sector.

“Worse yet, the government is not listening as we have already sent two letters to the International Trade and Industry Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry. But nothing is happening.”

Apt Chain of Salons consultant Yeevon Teh meanwhile said the hairdressing industry has suffered more than five months of lockdowns since last year and this has cost the industry more than RM5 billion.

“I hope the government will look into our suffering or at least tell us when we can operate again.

“Let us open again and establish a rent-free law during the movement-control order,” said Teh.

The United Hairdressing Malaysia is a coalition comprising Malaysian Hairdressing Association, United Asian Hairdressers Association, Bumiputera Hairdressing Association, Malaysian Bumiputera Barber Association, Hairdressing Skills Development Association, Malaysian Indian Hairstylist Empowerment Association, Persatuan Pengusaha Jurugaya Rambut India Malaysia and Persatuan Jurugaya Rambut India Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan.

The group claims it has more than 75,000 hairdressers and barbers as their members in the various associations. – July 1, 2021.