Malaysia: Govt allows more businesses, like hair salon, optometry, to open during MCO

• Apr 10, 2020

PETALING JAYA: The government will allow an additional list of businesses to operate during the movement control order (MCO), but the health and safety of workers remains a top priority, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The list includes traditional and complementary medicine, hardware and electrical shops, optometry, manned laundrettes and hair salons (restricted to haircuts) will be allowed to operate.

Azmin, who is the International Trade and Industry Minister, said these businesses were in addition to industries such as automotive, machineries and equipment, aerospace and construction projects.

He added that the industries, which include non-essential services and products, must apply online from 9am on Monday (April 13) to the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s (Miti) website www.miti.gov.my for permission to operate during the MCO.

The MCO was extended on Friday (April 10) for the third time to April 28, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Azmin warned that permission would be revoked immediately if the businesses did not comply with the stated standard operating procedures.

“The decision was made after realising the need to open up more economic sectors as the Covid-19 pandemic is not only affecting the health of the people but also affecting the economy, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” he said in a statement.

He said the level of compliance by several critical manufacturing and services sectors to operate during the first phase of the MCO had been good.

“Nevertheless, the government continues to monitor the compliance as stipulated by the Health Ministry and also to ensure that health screening and preventive measures are implemented for the safety of employees and customers.

“This step is necessary in order to ensure the sustainability of the country’s economy post Covid-19, to prevent the loss of jobs among Malaysians and to ensure that the rakyat continue to have access to the basic needs and critical products throughout the MCO period,” he said.

Azmin is also co-chair of a special cabinet committee to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and labour Market, which later made proposals to the Cabinet.

He said in considering which industries could operate, the government looked at the stability of the export activities, survival of SMEs and size of workforce.

Here is the full list:

1. Automotive industry (limited to exports of CBU, parts and components, plus after-sale services)

2. Machinery and equipment industry

3. Aerospace industry

4. Construction projects and services related to construction works:

– Projects whereby the main contractors are G1–G2

– Projects that have achieved physical progress of 90% and above

– Tunnelling works

– Maintenance works

– Sloping works

– Emergency works that are consequent to contractual obligations

– Maintenance, cleaning and drying of stagnant water, spraying of pesticides at construction sites which prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and other pests

– Other works that if left incomplete may result in danger

– Building projects with 70 IBS score and above

– Construction projects with accommodation facilities for workers, such as centralised quarters for workers or workers’ camp

– Professional services related to the construction industry including architects, engineers, town-planners, land surveyors, quantity surveyors, project managers, facility managers as well as other relevant services

5. Science, professional and technical services, including R&D (services incidental to legal practice, services incidental to oil and gas, R&D activities related to Covid-19, and testing labs for the sectors allowed to operate)

6. Social health services including registered traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practitioners

7. Hardware shops, electrical and electronic (E&E) shops and optometrists in the wholesale and retail industry

8. Laundry services (only those offering full-service and does not include self-service laundrettes)

9. Barber shops and hair salons (offering haircuts only)

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/04/10/govt-allows-more-businesses-like-hair-salon-optometry-to-open-during-mco