CMCO: Operation of barber shops, beauty salons allowed from June 10

The government has allowed barber shops and beauty salons to resume operations with stringent standard operating procedures (SOP) from June 10.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made at a Special Ministerial Meeting on Saturday.

He said the government had considered the contribution of the sector to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) of RM13.5 billion a year, in addition to the sector involving 74,500 workers out of 16,728 registered businesses.

"Activities allowed include basic haircut, basic hair wash, shaving sideburns and moustache, makeup and hair treatment, manicure and pedicure as well as facial wash and treatment.

"For individuals at-risk who are 60 years of age or older, the hair cut process must be with a prior appointment without the presence of patrons from of any other age group.

"For children under 12, parents are allowed to be present but must adhere to the use of protective equipment such as face masks and disposable apron," he said at a daily press conference here on Saturday.

In addition, Ismail Sabri said operators should provide a different disposable apron for each customer and cannot use a shared towel.

He said the SOP also requires workers to wear face masks, disposable apron and different gloves for each customer.

Employers, he added, should also ensure the distance between each seat is at least two meters per customer.

House visits are also allowed for barbers, subject to the same SOP.