PUTRAJAYA: Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the retail sector in areas under the Movement Control Order (MCO), Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) have been improved and updated.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the SOPs had been synchronised with the general SOPs issued by the National Security Council (MKN) to ensure that they are fully complied with by all retail, wholesale and distribution companies.
He said the improvements and updates were done following the announcement of the extension of the MCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang from Feb 19 to March 4.
He said it was also due to the change in the status of other states, from MCO to CMCO, while Perlis is the sole state with an RMCO status for the same period.
Elaborating on the SOPs, Nanta said dine-ins at restaurants are now allowed based on the size of tables; with physical distancing of at least one metre in MCO, CMCO and RMCO areas.
On the sale of clothes, fashion items and accessories, fittings are not allowed and disposable gloves must be provided in MCO areas, he said.
Nanta said fittings are allowed in CMCO and RMCO areas and disposable gloves need not be provided, but are encouraged.
He said photo studio activity in MCO areas is limited to only photographs for identity cards, passports and licences, involving only one customer and one photographer at any one time.
He said studio activity is allowed in CMCO and RMCO areas with no limit to the number of customers, subject to physical distancing and space available.
As for car wash operations in MCO areas, he said only drive-by washes are allowed, involving the exterior of vehicles; while all car wash activities in CMCO and RMCO areas are allowed.
Face-to-face consultations are not allowed at optical shops, which are limited to purchase and repairs only in MCO areas. However, all activities are now allowed in CMCO and RMCO areas, he added.
Nanta said only purchases are allowed; while the use of testers and face-to-face consultations are forbidden at cosmetics, skincare and perfume outlets in MCO areas; while all those activities are permitted in CMCO and RMCO areas.
He said only basic haircuts are allowed at barbershops, hairdressers and beauty salons in MCO areas; while all activities are allowed at CMCO and RMCO areas, except for ear waxing, trimming of nostril hair, head, shoulder and body massage at barbershops.
"Other activities which are not allowed in MCO areas are facial cleansing and treatment, eye makeup, hair makeup, hair treatment, manicure and pedicure," he said.
Nanta said the ministry wants the co-operation of the retail, wholesale and distribution community, and also consumers in MCO areas to ensure trade and distribution sector SOPs are fully complied with.
"Compliance is important to expedite efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and at the same time facilitate the change of status to CMCO or RMCO," he added.
He also reminded all that firm action would be taken, including the issuing of compounds and shutting down of business premises, for failure to comply with the stipulated SOPs.
Industry players and the public can contact the Trade Distribution and Services Industry Secretariat (SPIP) at 03-8882 5881/ 5905 or via email at spip@kpdnhep.gov.my. - BERNAMA