Barber shops: MOH monitors for sudden spike in cases

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced that it will continue to monitor cases following the opening of various economic sectors including barber shops which is expected to be operational from June 10.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said among the criterion to allow more sectors to operate was the fact that there has been no increase in cases following the Hari Raya holidays.

"So, if we can control it after hari raya, it is time for us to open up other sectors, for example barber shops and so on.

"The SOP (standard operating procedure) has been in place for quite a while, so we are currently monitoring the implementation in terms of compliance with the SOP," he said at a daily press conference here today.

In the meantime, Dr Noor Hisham added that the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) would be used for monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 cases when more sectors were allowed to operate.

He said the power under Act 342 is also passed down to various agencies and authorities including the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

"In the event of an outbreak or surge in cases in a locality or target group, we will implement either the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) or the administrative MCO (Semco).

"So, our action (is) to fence the area because we will filter and test all the people in the area whether foreigners or citizens," he said.