'Haircut Cluster' may emerge if many tested positive for COVID-19

Malaysia may have a Haircut Cluster in the event of an increase in the number of infections from a Pakistani barber who was confirmed COVID-19 positive yesterday.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said it was not announced as a cluster as it remains just a positive case of COVID-19.

"So far, there is no (haircut) cluster, only one person is positive. But if there are many who are positive, then we may have a haircut cluster," he said at a press conference here on Saturday.

Looking at the case of the Pakistani barber, he said the immigrant worker had violated the standard operating procedure (SOP) by operating illegally.

"If we look at the haircut case, the issue is that we have issued SOPs for those involved in the business. But there is a non-compliance with the SOP.

“Before the SOP was issued, the barber was carrying out haircutting services illegally from house to house. The test result has not returned yet, but he has done his job.

"So, we expect immigrant barbers to go for COVID-19 test. This is a non-compliance. However, we have taken action and we have had contact tracking and those who had used his services,” he added.