Hairstylist Michael Poh, who heads the United Asian Hairdressers Association, said there had not been a single cluster involving hair salons or barbershops since they were allowed to operate again after the first movement control order (MCO 1.0) ended in May last year.

“We complied with all the strict SOPs in place like wearing masks, face shields and gloves while we were providing our services.

“So, there is no reason to stop us from operating,” he said in an online press conference today.

Under the National Security Council’s (MKN) SOPs, hair salons are only allowed to operate under phase two of the national recovery plan. They can only provide haircuts.

According to Poh, about 75,000 hairstylists and barbers have suffered from having no income whatsoever due to the closure of their businesses during the three full MCOs over the past 16 months.

“We need money in order to live our lives,” he said.

Meanwhile the association’s adviser, Winnie Loo said hairstylists and barbers felt they were “victimised” by having to wait during the lockdown.

“We are supposed to be staying safe at home. But those who are actually creating clusters out there are not making us feel safe,” she added.

Loo also said some of the hairstylists had been asked to make “house calls” but they were afraid to do so as they feared being fined for breaching SOPs.

“Our group submitted two letters to the government last month, hoping they can allow us to operate but it seems they (government) did not hear us out,” she said.

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