LETTER | Since the implementation of the first movement control order (MCO) on March 18, 2020, the salon industry - which includes beauty, hair, nail and various beauty services - was destined to face tough challenges ahead.

Beauty salons are only allowed to be fully operational on June 10, 2020, a 12 weeks closure with zero income.

As salon businesses slowly climb back to less than 50 percent of the usual revenue in recent months, the MCO 2.0 has halted all the efforts. There is no clear indication when the salon businesses can be fully operational again.

Apart from the financial impact, which is very significant for small salon owners living on hand to mouth routine, the unemployment rate is expected to rise as salon businesses are closing down at an alarming rate. Currently, salon and its associated chain of businesses employ more than 75,000 people nationwide.

Another problem salon owners are experiencing is the sharp drop of returning customers which is an irreversible impact. Salons can only digitalise their system, marketing approach, and utilise social media advertising but major revenue still generated through physical treatments and services.

On the other hand, it is cost burdening for people with mild skin problems requiring treatments at facial salons. With no other choice, they have to seek treatment from skin specialists, creating unnecessary expenses.

In order to rescue this industry, more measures are required to assist salon owners. Standard operating procedures to resume business has to be in place soonest possible while financial aid such as one-off cash assistance, financing packages, grants have to be made available to salon owners immediately. This will alleviate the burden while the industry wrestles through this pandemic.

JONAS YAP is a beauty entrepreneur.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.