However, he said the National Security Council (MKN) would review the need to allow such services after two weeks, depending on the number of Covid-19 cases then.

“In the beginning, when we opened up barbershops (during the first MCO), many were afraid to go as human contact was necessary,” he said during a press conference this evening.

Later, they were allowed to open, with strict rules in place and the use of protective equipment.

Ismail also said that starting from tomorrow, police will start taking “uncompromising action” against those flouting the MCO and interstate travel restrictions.

This follows the end of the three-day “education phase” by the authorities to enable those who had bought travel tickets to return home.

“If members of the public are still confused about the standard operating procedures, they may refer to the MKN website or contact the hotline for every agency or relevant ministries.”

On a separate matter, Ismail said that by mid-January, 153,585 foreign workers had been screened for Covid-19.

This followed the government announcement for mandatory testing of all foreign workers, especially in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, on Dec 1, 2020.

Speaking on the number of arrests yesterday, Ismail said police detained 514 individuals for flouting movement restriction rules. Of the number, 495 were issued compound fines, 18 were remanded and one given bail.

Among the offences were failure to wear face masks (173), flouting physical distancing rules (129), failure to provide materials for contact tracing or registration (87), participating in activities at entertainment centres (33), and crossing district or state borders without permission (23).

Enforcement authorities under Op Benteng meanwhile arrested 42 illegal immigrants and seized three vehicles and a boat. A total of 444 roadblocks were set up nationwide as part of the operations.