GEORGE TOWN: Salons, barber shops, carwash outlets and stationery stores in Penang which reopened today, enjoyed brisk business as the state eased into Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP),
Since morning, many people made a beeline to have their cars washed and their hair trimmed in various parts of the state, amid strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOP).
These shops are placed under the non-essential category under Phase 1 and were not allowed to operate.
At BS Success Carwash along Jalan Macalister here, a long row of cars waited in line to be washed and vacuumed.
Supervisor Hong Liang Seong, 42, told the New Straits Times that it felt good to finally be back in business after a five-week closure.
"Times are hard now. If I don't open for business, then there will be no income and my workers will be out of a job. So, it is a relief for us to finally resume business.
"We have put in place all the necessary preparations to resume business today. We have even obtained an approval letter from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
"All our workers have strict SOPs to follow before they begin work. Likewise, customers are also subjected to the SOPs such as checking in using the MySejahtera app," he said when met.
Since morning until 1pm, Hong said they have washed and vacuumed about 40 cars.
He said policemen also came to check on their business to ensure everything was in place.
Met while waiting in line, Mohd Aswan, 37, said he was glad to finally have his car washed after more than a month.
"We see quite a long line of vehicles waiting for their turn. Just like me, everyone else is taking the opportunity to have their vehicles cleaned.
"All customers are also abiding by the SOPs such as using face masks and observing physical distancing," he added.
Meanwhile, at Dad My Love Barbershop along Lebuh Acheh, its owner Yunoos Salleh, 65, or popularly known as Pak Yu, told the NST that he is fully booked for the rest of the day.
"We are glad to be back in business. Even our customers are happy to have their hair trimmed as many have waited for more than a month now.
"We have not been getting any income for the past one month. Now that we are able to resume business, at least we can earn some income to pay for rental and such," he said.
Yunoos, however, said the onus was on everybody to take the necessary precautions to stop the spread of Covid-19.
"Cases are still there. If we don't adhere to the SOPs, there is a likelihood that the infections will soar and we may end up going back into total lockdown. So, it is important for everyone to play their part," he added.
Met at Carnarvon Street after purchasing some stationery, freelancer Wong, 32, said the opening of more businesses under Phase Two of the NRP was a good sign.
He told the NST that buying directly from the shop was different from buying online where one has to wait for delivery, which may also be subjected to delays due to the movement restrictions.
"So, I am glad that I can personally find what I need for my job," he said.
On Monday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Penang would ease into Phase Two of the NRP from today after it met the three threshold indicators fixed for the state.
Penang had recorded an average case of 9.5 per 100,000, well below the 12.2 cases per 100,000 threshold mark. Penang had also surpassed the vaccination rates of 10 per cent for the adult population with 10.1 per cent so far.
The use of Intensive Care Units (ICU) was also at a moderate level while the Capacity to Respond was at an adequate level in the state.
On Monday, Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang were the first five states in the country to move into Phase Two of the NRP.