Eager to resume business

Tang sanitising the basins at her shop during the recovery movement control order last year. — Filepic

THOSE from the beauty and spa industry are hoping for the movement control order (MCO) to be lifted after Feb 4 so that business can resume then.

Beautician Shirley Kwan, 36, said several weeks before the Chinese New Year were traditionally a peak period for the beauty sector.

“Due to the MCO, we had to cancel 50% of our bookings.

“We just hope the MCO will not be extended so that there is still another week for us to make up for lost ground.

“Many people want to look good for the festive season, ” said Kwan, who operates from a shoplot in a shopping mall in George Town.

She said she had added value to her service after going through several phases of the MCO.

“During the recovery movement control order, I also conducted small sessions to sell skincare products and teach my customers how to use the products.

“I’ll also explain to them the ingredients used in my products.

“The feedback has been positive and I now even have customers from as far as Singapore.

“My partner and I are planning to launch facial packages once the MCO is lifted, ” she said.

Manicurist Chloe Tang, 27, said she had no choice but to cancel 50% of her bookings due to the MCO.

“I usually experience brisk business a month before Chinese New Year as customers want to get their nails done for the festive season.

“I bought several new colours before the MCO and my customers are excited to try them.

“If the recovery MCO is implemented, I can still serve customers on an appointment basis.

“Although the number of customers will decrease as I need extra time to sanitise my equipment, it is better than having no business at all.

“But with the current situation,

I am worried that customers would not want to spend extra money on manicures, ” she

said, adding that she has been improving her skills by designing fake nails during the MCO.

Food kiosk owner Vincent Cheng, 30, said his business had decreased between 20% and 30% during the MCO as dine-in was not allowed.

“Thankfully, due to our location and advertisement, there is an increase in delivery orders.

“We hope that the recovery MCO will come into place after Feb 4 so that customers can dine in and we will have more tourists and commuters here, ” he said.

MCO 2.0 was first imposed from Jan 13 in several states for a period of two weeks, and was initially supposed to end on Jan 26.

It was extended to all states and the Federal Territories, except Sarawak, and will now last until Feb 4.