MPs yesterday voted unanimously to urge the government to allow more services in salons, at the hairdressers and in barber shops.
Services have been limited to just 10 per cent of a facility’s original capacity since the places were allowed to reopen in May after being closed for 60 days due to Covid-19.
The urgent proposal, which will now be reviewed by the Cabinet, has been presented by five MPs, led by Zainab Abdulamir.
She said several salons have closed and many owners could find themselves behind bars.
“A salon has lost an average of BD4,000 monthly and BD40,000 since the outbreak of Covid-19 in March by being closed or offering limited services,” she said.
“All services are reopening in full around the world even in the most affected countries except in Bahrain and when a business operates at 10pc of its usual capacity then it would prefer to close down as seen over the past few months, with owners of some facing time behind bars as they are unable to repay loans or meet their financial commitments.
“New health and hygiene measures have to be introduced, with those complying after inspection allowed to offer more services.”
Bahrain Bloc president Ahmed Al Salloom said 70pc of the services already follow the same pattern as those allowed since May.
“It is easy to allow at least 70pc of the services as they are in line with the safe ones already on offer since May with a higher capacity than the 10pc to conduct work being allowed,” he said.
“Services such as massages could also be offered under stricter guidelines should 100pc of the services be allowed.”
Ebrahim Al Nefaei said Bahrain was celebrating Bahraini Woman’s Day, while owners of those outlets, mostly young businesswomen, were suffering.
“Bahrain celebrates Bahraini Woman’s Day, but these businesswomen have been left out of Tamkeen’s support package.”
Hamad Al Kooheji said allowing more legitimate services would end the dangerous practice of offering private services.
“There is a high demand for salon services which is not being met, so many prefer to avail of private services which could be spreading Covid-19 and other diseases,” he said.
“Banning services by licensed outlets is not a solution; stricter monitoring should be the case.”
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