He said the government should review its decision as it was “odd” for the government to list barber and hair salons under essential services.
“This is in fact a high-risk sector. The clients, the barber and hairdresser can infect each other due to body contact while cutting hair,” he told FMT.
Lee urged Putrajaya to open the low-risk sectors first, such as those dealing with cellphones, computers, manufacturing, factories and construction sectors as the risk of infection is much lower with social distancing and wearing of face masks in place.
He said barbers and hair salons should only be allowed to open once the low-risk industries report no cases of virus infection.
However, if the government still insisted on allowing barbers to operate, he said they must practise several standard operating procedures.
First, all barbers and hair salons should operate with the front doors open and the air conditioners switched off.
“Only fans should be running. This will reduce the risk of touching door knobs and ensure proper ventilation is maintained.
“The customers and those cutting hair must wear masks even though it may interrupt with their hair cutting. This is extremely close contact so the mask is a must,” he added.
The owners must sanitise the chairs after each customer and sterilise each gadget used after cutting hair, he said, further stressing that any contact surface must be kept sanitised.
“Social distancing must be practised by limiting customers to just a few at any one time in the shop.
“But the risk is still there with clients passing it to the barber and the barber infecting his clients,” he added.
Yesterday, the government announced that a number of services, including hair salons, will be allowed to operate under the MCO, which has been extended another 14 days to April 28.
For hair salons and barber shops, only the cutting of hair is permitted. The government, however, said that businesses that were allowed to operate must comply with existing guidelines, including those of the health ministry and enforcement agencies.