KUCHING, Mar 10: Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) should come up with a comprehensive economic plan for businesses that are not allowed to open yet due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Referring to businesses such as spa and wellness centres in Sarawak, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said a proper economic plan should include aid to help these businesses go through these tough times, comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent any outbreak of the disease, as well as a proper timeline of opening.
“While concerns on the spread of Covid-19 must be taken seriously, but by now after one year, the government should have a proper alternative solution or ‘Plan B’ to help such industries, rather than just closing them all the time which caused many of them to face financial difficulties as they also need to keep up with rent, salaries, and business licences,” said Dr Yii in a press statement today.
He observed that many of those affected are blind masseurs and baby spa operators whose livelihood are severely affected while other businesses such as hair salons, barbershops, beauty centres, tattoo parlours, nail parlours are allowed to open with the necessary SOPs in place.
To him, the authorities’ concerns may be addressed by increase monitoring and enforcement in those establishments and strict implementations of Covid-19 SOPs.
“That is why I strongly believe that SDMC and the ministry concerned should sit down and engage with all the industry players to better understand their situation, and more importantly come up with a comprehensive economic plan to help them through this tough period,” said Dr Yii. -DayakDaily
