Blind masseurs hope to go back to work soon

Yap (left) with Jeremi, Uton and Nari at their centre before the MCO was imposed.

SIBU: It has been almost four months now that four blind masseurs have been left without any income.

The massage centre operated by Yap Chong Yap, 55, Jeremi Ngalambang, 44, Nari Jerayit, 60 and his wife Uton Bilum in Jalan Salim has been closed since the movement control order (MCO) was enforced on March 18.

“We are now relying on government aid to get by until we are allowed to reopen, ” said Yap.

They said they were idling at home with nothing to do during the MCO.

“Every morning, I hope for news that we can reopen.

“We cannot remain at home like this. We need to get back to work, ” said Yap.

“During the MCO, we still have to pay for the rental of the premises.

“Luckily, the landlord is kind and understanding and has given us a discount on the rental, which helps, ” he said.

He hoped the government would consider the plight of blind masseurs and allow them to reopen their centres with special standard operating procedures to follow.

“As we are OKU (persons with disability).

“The government, if it gives the green light to reopen, should come out with a different SOP as one size does not fit all, ” he pointed out.

For example, Yap said due to their disability, customers would need to check their own temperatures and log it when visiting the centres.