The Health Ministry, today, set new strict guidelines for barber shops and beauty parlors to resume operations once the curfew is relaxed from May 11. 

According to an internal document prepared by the Health Ministry, it says only cutting/trimming of hair, dying of hair, manicure/pedicure and waxing of arms and legs will be permitted. No other procedure can be performed, the new guidelines state.

Further, any owner or management who intend to open their salons should make a request to their area Medical Officer of Health (MoH) who will then issue an application together with a checklist.

Once all the guidelines are in place, and the application is handed over to the MoH, a Public Health Inspector will check the facility against the checklist and make recommendations to the MoH who will temporarily register the salon in his office and issue the certificate to resume operations. 

No salon shall operate without a valid written commencement certificate issued by the area. 

Barbers and dressers also have been told to wear a mask and goggles/eye shields throughout while attending to customers.

A 1-meter distance should also be maintained except during the procedure and the number of customers entering the salon should be limited according to the space available to maintain a one-meter distance.

Barbers and dressers should also always attend to the customer from behind and sides only and avoid a face to face encounter. Further, air conditions are not recommended and procedures are recommended to be performed in the shortest time possible.

"Although the Ministry of Health allows the opening of salons for the mentioned services considering the public need, physical distancing which is a prime control measure cannot be achieved between the barber/dresser and the customer in this setting. Hence, some special measures are described to be adopted in salons if they are to be opened and every facility should strictly ensure that these measures are adopted," the internal circular said. (JAMILA HUSAIN)