BUSINESSES want Putrajaya to review its standard operating procedure (SOP) as the economy has now reopened and the country has reached its vaccination target.

Irwin Cheong and Winnie Loo from Industries Unite said the association would like for the government to call for a total review of SOP for all sectors to enable them to function as normal.

“An example highlighted is the hair industry; the SOP… of having all hairdressers wear full PPE suits (mask, face shield, gloves, front disposable aprons) and (allowing) only two hours per client per visit, should be revised,” Winnie said during a press conference held by Industries Unite.

“With F&B (food and beverage) operators, there is no time limit to (how long) the patrons (spend) eating at any F&B outlets. These SOP also affect the rest of the industries, primarily in the beauty line, manicure and pedicure, reflexology and spa sectors,” she said.

The group has called for a task force to be set up that includes government ministries, agencies and Industries Unite, that can review the SOP together to enable better adherence.

The reps listed the National Security Council, and the health, domestic trade and consumer affairs, international trade and industry, entrepreneur development and cooperatives ministries, among others.

Meanwhile, Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association vice-president Jeremy Lim called out a misalignment on policy understanding between the federal and state governments.

Jeremy cited several occasions where local council enforcers ignored federal government rulings on Covid-19 SOP, and said the state was not bound by the government’s policies

“In MBPJ, a licensed business premise was raided by enforcement teams because of playing background music/piped-in music. The premise was subsequently fined RM25,000. Other types of businesses play music, too, but no one else faces such hefty fines,” he cited.

“In Ampang Jaya, (there was) enforcement action on a restaurant for hosting a busker. The premises was issued a fine, and, subsequently, its business license cancelled,” he said.

When questioned on the legitimacy of the enforcement actions, the MPAJ said it does not permit busking activities, which is contradictory to what the federal government had mandated.

He said on both matters, PPRB has tried to engage with state-level policymakers to seek a resolution but to no avail.

“We wrote to the Selangor state legal advisor to seek his opinion on the matter, (but we are) yet to receive any response,” he said.

“Through Industries Unite, PPRB was able to secure a meeting with the Selangor Menteri Besar (but), unfortunately, the meeting has been rescheduled three times. We hope the Selangor MB can find time to meet with us and look into this very expensive inconsistency,” he said.

He said the state should communicate with those on the ground on whether they should follow the government’s or the state’s ruling when it comes Covid-19 SOP. – October 30, 2021.