The Malaysian Insight

CONFLICTING standard operating procedures (SOPs) ordered by the federal and state governments are preventing beauty salon owners from opening for fear of flouting the law, say groups.

The federal government allows beauty salons to open under the MCO but some state governments have barred them from doing business.

Persatuan Anggun Menawan Malaysia (PAMM) president Alvin Loh told The Malaysian Insight local government regulations differed. For instance, beauty salons are permitted to operate in Selangor and Johor but not in Pahang.

And outlets which are allowed to open are subject to restrictions. They cannot provide services such as ear cleaning, trimming nose hairs, head and shoulder massage, facials, eyelash styling, and manicures and pedicures.

They can only sell beauty products which make up only a fraction of their revenue.

“No Covid-19 clusters have originated from the beauty services industry but we seem to be paying the penalty again,” Loh said.

“There is confusion in the industry and I encourage all industry owners to contact their local government to inquire about the latest SOP.”

There are about 10,000 salons in Malaysia. In the last round of movement control restrictions, at least 400 owners had to close shop.

PAMM’s Facebook page has been flooded with messages and complaints. Owners commented they were closed because they were afraid of the hefty fines should they inadvertently violate the law and were now taking the wait-and-see approach.

Loh urged the governments to provide clear directions and not cause the industry more losses as it was already struggling.

“We are still communicating with the relevant departments on a complete and clear SOP,” he said.

He said beauty salons depended on their services for 70% of their revenue and nail salons, for 85% of their revenue.

“Moreover, the grace period for repaying various loans will end next month. How can operators repay the loans when they cannot provide services but must depend on selling beauty products alone?”

Persatuan Pusat Kecantikan Malaysia (PPKM) chairman Fong Kim Yoke questioned why beauty salons were slapped with the most stringent conditions each time restrictions were introduced.

“Groups infections have never stemmed from our workplaces, and beauty salons have never been crowded places. Salons do not see more than 10 customers on an average a day, and adequate safety measures have been taken.

“Each beautician wears two layers of masks. Generally, operators also bar employees from eating out. They have to pack their food,” Fong said.

She said the new prohibitions would affect 90% of businesses.

Fong said beauty salons had missed out on Chinese New Year business because of MCO 2.0.

Recently, they also missed out on higher volume of business that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day usually brought.

“I believe more beauty salons will close because of MCO 3.0.”

PAMM vice-president Zendieey Lee Cheng Lay said nail salons were badly hit by the restrictions.

She said most nail salon owners in restricted areas had chosen to temporarily close.

“A nail salon’s services account for 88% of its income, and its products only 12%. So by just selling products, it’s not helpful to us.

“Secondly, there are not many types of nail products, and Malaysians are not very knowledgeable about nail care, so there is almost zero customers,” said Lee, who teaches nail education.

Lee has been in the nail salon business for 14 years and said since last year, many senior nail industry professionals have switched careers.

“Some closed their shops and set up small studios at home, while some switched to selling cakes and doing micro-businesses.”

She said this was not due to doubt in their personal abilities but a lack of confidence in the market and the government’s policies.

According to the National Security Council’s updated rules, in addition to MCO areas, nail salons are not allowed to open in areas under a conditional or recovery MCO. The directive is effective from now until June 6.

Malaysia is under third movement control order following a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases. – May 17, 2021.