According to SAPP vice-president Gee Tien Siong, about 1,000 hairdressing salons and barbershops were affected by the MCO in Sabah.

He said these outlets were allowed to open for business for only half a year in 2020 after the government relaxed the restrictions last June.

“They have earnestly requested the government to relax the rules and let them open their business while adhering to strict SOPs,” he said in a statement issued following a meeting with a group representing the barbers at his office today.

Gee added that he was informed some barbers were conducting their business “in secret” at home to sustain their livelihood.

“This will make it more difficult for the authorities to trace the source of the infection, in the event of any local outbreak,” he said.

Gee hoped the authorities would take the suggestions he had proposed to the chief minister’s office into consideration and allow the shops to open earlier before Chinese New Year to avoid big crowds.