Many beauty salons shut down – rep
KOTA KINABALU: Democratic Action Party Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe claimed that many beauty salons have decided to close.
“Many of them decided to shut down their businesses as they could not sustain further without any aids from the government,” he said.
“The business operators are complying with the SOPs strictly by wearing face masks, aprons and gloves while providing facial services,” he said in a statement after visiting Piel Perfecta Laser Center, Herbaline Sabah and Wendy.S Beauty Magician, yesterday.
“The business owners have complained to me on the authorities always sidelining the industry despite it not triggering any clusters at all.
“They are always the last few industries to be allowed to operate despite having strict operating procedures.
“They told me that the golden week for the beauty industry is a week before Chinese New Year and their business has been severely affected,” said Phoong.
The Sabah Dapsy chief stated on his Facebook post that the industry averagely laid off 20-30 percent staff during the pandemic. In comparison to 2019, their sales have dropped approximately 6070 percent and now they have lost the golden week of Chinese New Year that could generate double income than usual.
“The business owners are facing financial stress and challenges amid this pandemic and we can hardly imagine what they are going through.
“The government must address this issue seriously by providing them equal aids like other industries.
“Sectors such as beauty, hairdressing, entertainment should be given financial aid to cushion the financial damage caused to these owners,” he said.
Phoong said this after beauty industry players expressed to him that despite not generating income they still have to pay full amount of rental and utility fees.
“Many of them decided to shut down their businesses as they could not sustain further without any aids from the government,” he said.
The Sabah National Safety Council had announced the reopening of facial services but it has not included pedicure and manicure salons yet.