Minister says house call barber services ‘news’ to him, insists not allowed

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said that house call barber services remain prohibited during the movement control order period.

The senior minister in charge of the security cluster, however, said he is unaware of media reports that the service is being offered and engaged by several ministers and police officers.

"This is news to me. I haven't received any news about this matter.

"In terms of the law, it is not allowed," said Ismail during the National Security Council Covid-19 daily press conference in Putrajaya today.

Earlier today, online portal The Malay Mail reported that several ministers and police officers are among those engaging house call barber services amid the MCO, now entering its eighth week.

According to the report, some barbers in Kuala Lumpur have begun making house calls in the Klang Valley after several of them were allegedly “summoned” for private services.

Ismail, who described the report as being unverified, however, said the standard operating procedures that prohibited hair cutting services remain the same.

"For now barber, hair cutting (services) are still on the negative list.

"So it is not allowed, whether at home, in the office or at the barber shop, all are not allowed," he said.

Last month, the International Trade and Industry Ministry briefly approved the re-opening of barbershops but the decision was overturned following objections.

Since then, a barber's association, the Penang Maruthuvar Sangam, had been among groups who spoke up to seek financial assistance from the federal and state governments for members whose livelihood has been badly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

On May 4, the Perikatan Nasional government imposed a conditional MCO which allows the majority of businesses to resume operations in a bid to revitalise the economy.

However, hair salons and barbershops are still not permitted to open as it involves close body contact, with social distancing difficult to maintain. - Mkini