KUCHING, May 11: Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei is urging the Sarawak government to come up with special Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for some 23 business sectors, which are still not allowed to operate under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) so they can resume operations soon.
Wong noted almost all business sectors have been allowed to resume operations from May 12, and the government should consider the same policy for businesses such as barber shops, beauty salons and photography.
“Almost all businesses had to cease operations for nearly two months. If certain sectors are still disallowed from operating, we will be seeing more closure of businesses, resulting in a higher unemployment rate,” he highlighted in a statement.
Although he acknowledged the difficulties Sarawak government faced in striking a balance between containing the spread of Covid-19 and economic recovery, Wong pointed out that businesses that have recorded zero revenue since the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) should not be neglected.
“It puzzles me that the government will allow gatherings not exceeding 20 people and outdoor activities involving not more than 10 people during the forthcoming festive celebrations. If such activities will be allowed, why can’t barber and beauty salons involving one-on-one activities be allowed as well?” he asked.
Wong thus proposed that the government come up with special SOP for these businesses to resume operations without jeopardising efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
He suggested these businesses could be required to resume operations based on appointments, and with limited number of customers.
Alternatively, he suggested that the government could also offer special financial aid to these business operators so that they could survive this crisis. — DayakDaily
