This is despite the full reopening of all economic sectors since May 15.

Energy Spa & Wellness general manager Cammy Loh told FMT there had been no indication from the government that it was updating the SOPs.

During the period of the first movement control order, therapists were required to wear full personal protective equipment when providing service to clients.

Loh said there had been no update since then although operators in the industry had asked the National Security Council (MKN) for clarification.

She said her company had decided on its own SOPs which included asking unvaccinated customers to undergo the RTK-Antigen test before entering its premises.

She said the company had decided to take a strict approach although health minister Khairy Jamaluddin had announced that entry to all premises was allowed regardless of vaccination status from May 1.

Association of Malaysian Spas president Hana Halim said the group’s members were not sure which SOPs were still in force.

“They are confused as to what they should be doing, fearing raids or other enforcement problems,” she told FMT.

She blamed a lack of guidance from the government.

She said many therapists were still using full protective equipment although Phase 4 of the national recovery plan required them to wear only gloves, face masks and shields.

She urged the authorities to work with the industry to devise an updated set of SOPs.

However, Gavin Foo, CEO of foot massage centre Relax Oasis, said there was no need to wait for updated SOPs from the government.

“Over the past 26 months, we have already learned about the Covid-19 virus and what needs to be done to prevent it from spreading,” he said. “There is no need to wait for the government to give specific guidelines.”

Foo told FMT that Relax Oasis’ therapists were continuing to use face masks, shields, gloves and disposable sheets.

“We have adapted to this new normal and we have found that this gives our customers confidence in the safety of our service,” he said.