PETALING JAYA: Business groups are expecting an extended enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in Selangor following the sharp rise in Covid-19 cases over the last few days.
The number of new infections breached the 13,000 mark yesterday, of which over 6,000 were from Selangor alone.
The government announced that the EMCO in all localities in Kuala Lumpur will end today as scheduled, but did not indicate if the lockdown will be at least partially lifted in most of Selangor, which were also placed under an EMCO from July 3 to 16.
“Seeing that the numbers are still so high, everybody is expecting that the EMCO (in Selangor) will be extended. Nevertheless, we hope we will get some good news,” said Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia president Michael Kang.
He said business groups are still hoping the government can allow companies whose staff have been fully vaccinated to operate.
“There’s no way you can continue to lock down everybody or every single area. You can only focus on targeted lockdowns, in certain areas,” Kang told FMT.
Akilan Ananda Krishnan of the KL-Selangor Barber Association said that since this is the third round of lockdowns, barber shop and salon owners are already familiar with the SOPs needed in the event they are allowed to open again.
“We are even more well-equipped than last time with our SOPs,” he said.
He noted that there have been no clusters involving barbershops or hair salons in Selangor so far.
With the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, he said, the shops are prepared to temporarily close if an outbreak does occur at their premises, as was done with other industries previously.
“Many barber shop and salon owners have been affected financially and it is hoped they can get back to business as soon as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Employers Federation president Syed Hussain Syed Husman hoped the authorities would make “timely announcements” on the status of the EMCO areas, especially in Selangor, so businesses are able to make the necessary arrangements.
“Last-minute announcements will make it difficult for both employers and employees to adjust, especially if there are any changes to SOPs,” he said.
Although businesses selling computers, telecommunication devices, books and stationery will be allowed to operate throughout the national recovery plan period from today, he said, both employers and employees are still not prepared.
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/07/16/business-groups-in-selangor-bracing-for-extended-lockdown/