KUCHING: It is definitely a great relief for barber shops and hair salons in the city as their services are allowed to resume beginning June 9.
Kuching Hairdressers Association president Raymond Chin said he was truly happy that hairstylists could be back in action soon after the Sarawak government announced that barber shops and hair salons are allowed to operate — albeit for haircuts only.
“It is nearly three months and barber shops and hair salons owners have zero income since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced on March 18. Therefore, some of the stress is over because business is back and we can slowly recover our cash flow,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted Friday.
Chin, who owns Ray’s Salon, said for him, he had to cover expenses of RM5,000 to RM6,000 which included rental, utilities and other costs without an income since the MCO.
“While we are back in business of course we still feel a bit worried, especially during this pandemic because this Covid-19 is invisible.
“But I believe our safety is protected when barber shops and hair salons, including customers, strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as by wearing face masks and maintaining the one-metre social distancing,” he pointed out, adding that the positive cases in Sarawak were also declining.
He said when barber shops and hair salons start to open, it was anticipated that there would be many customers wanting to get their hair fixed, and so making appointments was advisable.
“Making an appointment is important to avoid having to wait or come the day after. I can say this will be the new practice even after the CMCO (conditional movement control order) is lifted.
“Even if walk-in is allowed, if the shop is full then we will still not allow customers to wait in the shop to prevent any virus transmissions,” he said, adding that appointments also allowed barber shops and hair salons to make the necessary preparation for the customers’ safety.
He added that his shops could cater to up to 12 customers at any one time, but in view of the current situation, chairs would be arranged to accommodate only six, with a gap of one to two metres.
“As announced by the government, only hair cuts are allowed, so many customers asked me how it works. We advise them it is better for them to wash their hair at home first before heading to the barber shops or hair salons,” he said.
Chin also said in this new norm, gone are the days when the hairstylist could chit-chat with the customers.
“Sadly, there will be less conversation, and no drinks or titbits will be given to our customers,” he said, adding that customers were also encouraged to do cashless transaction.
Meanwhile, Barber Bro Barber Shop owner Kevin Tan too shared his joy with other hairstylists that barber shops and hair salons are allowed to operate soon.
“We will open our business with caution because the safety of our staff and customers is our top priority,” he said.
In preparation for the reopening of the shop, Tan said he had instructed his hairstylists to wear face masks and hand gloves when cutting customers’ hair — the same goes for customers where they must wear face masks as well.
“Customers need not worry because we will not reuse the cutting cape, we make sure that it will only be used once after each haircut,” he said.
He also said customers must call to make an appointment and if they were 10 minutes late, it would be cancelled and they needed to make another appointment.
“Among the SOPs … we will not rinse customers’ head after a haircut, therefore they have to wash their hair before coming to the shop,” he said.
Tan’s brother Kenny Tan, who is the owner of Insta Hair Salon and a hairstylist himself, said they would make sure not only to sanitise their hands before a haircut, but also chairs and equipment before and after each haircut.
“We are glad to offer our services soon and can’t wait to meet our customers. We also hope they will understand the SOPs and follow it,” he said, adding that other services such as hair treatment, hair colouring, facial, beard trimming would not be done until further notice.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas on Thursday announced that barber shops and hair salons in the state could resume business on June 9, with only hair-cutting services allowed.
A detailed standard operating procedure for the reopening of barber shops and hair salons would also be released soon.
