Umno deputy president: Barbers and laundries are non-essential

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has called on the government to not allow limited operations for barbers and laundry services, saying that these are not “essential services”, reported the Malay Mail.

The Umno deputy president who is also Rantau assemblyman explained in his Facebook posting that members of the public and even those in the two services do not want them opened during the movement control order which has been extended to April 28.

“The decision to allow some business and service sectors to operate should be reconsidered in line with the calls by the Health Ministry and public reaction.

“Business operations such as barbers and laundries are non-essential and we don’t desperately need them, so its approval to operate should be postponed. Even Ramadhan bazaars should not be given any exemptions or leeway.

“It is clear from the public’s reaction that they don’t agree with the opening of these non-essential services. Even the players in these sectors have voiced their concern and worry to operate in this pandemic,” the news portal reported Mohamad saying.

Mohamad also felt that the MCO must go on until “Malaysia has successfully flattened the Covid-19 curve”.

“Insya’Allah after this pandemic is over, we can be as fashionable as we want, celebrate Hari Raya to our heart’s content, organise bazaars and not just Ramadan Bazaars and also visit our friends and relatives.

“But until that moment comes, our duty is to break the pandemic chain by reducing infections. Stay at home, maintain cleanliness and practise social distancing,” he added.

Meanwhile, Penang state exco Jagdeep Singh Deo has warned barbershops and hair salons not to open during the “third phase” of the MCO or “risk being shut down by the authorities”, reported the Malay Mail.

“We will do this to hair salons and barbers in Penang if they do not comply with the MCO,” he warned.

The Penang authorities have decided not to follow Putrajaya’s decision to allow barbers to open in the third phase of the MCO starting April 15, reported the news portal.

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