Malaysia proposes enhanced SOPs for reopening of small businesses
Malaysia’s Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) has proposed a set of enhanced standard operating procedures (SOPs) to the government to help speed up the opening of the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.
The proposal focuses on six sectors: F&B dining-in; shopping malls; watch shops; pedicure and manicure (grooming services); beauty parlours and salons; and hair salons. These operate under the First to Close, Last to Open (FLCO) categories.
Almost half of the businesses identified are owned by women entrepreneurs, and are among the groups most affected by the lockdown restrictions.
Many of them have expressed willingness to operate under stricter SOPs, and would give full cooperation to authorities and enforcement, said Minister for Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
“[The industry members] are very proactive and cooperative in this. The enhanced SOPs prepared by MEDAC are a collaborative effort between the ministry and both parties,” he said.
The SOPs cover guidelines from managing customers and staff, operating hours and premise maintenance, ensuring that these comply with COVID-19 safety requirements.
READ: Malaysian businesses urged to embrace workplace safety and health
Business owners and workers will also have to be fully vaccinated and undergo a weekly COVID-19 swab test, while premises have to be closed for sanitisation should there be positive COVID-19 cases detected.
