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SINGAPORE: Singapore hairdressers and barbers pulled out their scissors for the first time in weeks on Tuesday (May 12), cutting locks off an endless stream of customers, as the government relaxed some “circuit breaker” measures.
After three weeks of suspension amid enhanced circuit measures announced on April 21, certain stores and services were allowed to resume operations on Tuesday, albeit with certain restrictions and precautions.
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On Tuesday, CNA noted that long lines formed early Tuesday outside of no-frills shops offering quick haircuts.
An 11-person lineup had formed in the QB House store at PLQ Mall in Paya Lebar, even before opening hours at 10:30 a.m.
Allen Yeo, 56, who started queuing at 10 a.m., said he wanted to cut his hair before lunch.
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“Since I’m the first customer, the equipment must be pretty clean,” joked the retiree.
People queue outside a hairdressing salon on May 12, 2020, after easing some breaker measures. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
READ: “Don’t rush out” after businesses reopen, COVID-19 breaker to gradually relax: Lawrence Wong
At SingPost Center, more than 10 people waited in line for a cut at EC House.
Mrs. Carina Tan, who was there with her eight-year-old son, said that her son urgently needed a haircut.
“It is important for children’s hygiene, it has been so warm!” she said.
In the no-frills venues CNA visited on Tuesday, most of the people waiting in line were men.
Queues were shorter in full-service beauty salons, and most clients called ahead to make appointments.
ONLY HAIR CUTS
A client waiting for his turn at Apgujeong Hair Studio in Tiong Bahru Plaza said that his wife had made an appointment for him.
The 55-year-old man, who asked to be identified as Mr. Cheng, said his last haircut was earlier last month.
“I haven’t cut my hair in a long time and it’s getting ugly, so I thought it would be better to cut my hair as soon as possible,” Cheng said in Mandarin.
A client cut his hair on May 12, 2020, after easing some breaker measures. (Photo: Hanidah Amin)
At Kimage Hair Salon in Tiong Bahru Plaza, appointments were fully booked for the week, said salon manager Chris Tan.
But Mr. Tommy Chin, manager of the Shinka hair salon at the Nex Mall in Serangoon, said that while customers returned after the reopening, the business “fell a lot.”
“It is only for haircuts, we cannot do unions, permanent treatments and other treatments,” he said.
PET SHOPS, TCM ROOMS AND CAKES
In addition to grooming salons, pet stores and shops selling candy and desserts that have been closed since April 22 also reopened on Tuesday.
People queue at a bake sale point on May 12, after easing some breaker measures. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
The Bengawan Solo bakery chain reopened on May 12, after some measures of circuit breakers were relaxed. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Traditional Chinese medicine wards and home-food businesses also went live, while other stores that were suspended, including bubble tea kiosks, remained closed.
Singapore’s extended circuit breaker period remains in effect until June 1, and selected activities and services are expected to resume in stages over the coming weeks.
READ: Singapore reports 884 new COVID-19 cases, totaling more than 24,000
Pet supply stores reopened on May 12, after some breaker measures were relaxed. (Photo: Hanidah Amin)
Customers also went back to pet stores for supplies that were having trouble connecting online, with a steady stream of customers at stores that CNA visited.
There was a small queue at the Pet Lovers Center at JEM on Tuesday morning, but it soon calmed down, area supervisor Grashia Chan said.
“For us, home delivery is too overwhelming … so (the customers) have no choice but to go to the store to buy (supplies),” Chan said.
A customer, Mrs. Karina Lim, 19, told CNA that she was at The Pet Safari in Nex to buy food for her terrapin as it was difficult to order that online.
Mrs. Jady Ng, who was at Pet Lover’s Center in Ang Mo Kio, stopped after shopping for groceries to buy treats for her rabbits.
People shop at a pet supply store on May 12, after some breaker measures were relaxed. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Customers also stocked up on items like pet food, cat litter, and pee pads, said Christine Tan, marketing manager for the Pet Lovers Center.
Pet stores still have restrictions on providing grooming services, but Tan said her stores have been receiving inquiries from customers.
“Those (dogs) with long fur need to be groomed quite regularly, otherwise their hair gets tangled,” he said.
READ: All TCM wards are open from May 12 after review of switch measurements
People queue in front of a TCM ward on May 12, after some breaker measures were relaxed. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
In traditional Chinese medicine stores, some outlets reported healthy foot traffic.
There were around six people waiting to enter Hock Hua Tonic at Tiong Bahru Square when CNA visited the store on Tuesday.
Hock Hua Tonic had implemented several precautionary measures, including limiting the number of people in the store at one time and the direction of traffic flow within the store.
Only two or three customers could enter at a time, and they had to walk in one direction around the store, heading to the cashier, CNA noted.
Like other stores that are open during the circuit breaker period, Hock Hua had SafeEntry digital check-in QR codes at their entrance to record the details of all the customers they visited.
Product manager Steve Teng said some older customers were having trouble scanning the SafeEntry QR code, but store managers were on hand to help them.
“(They) generally (buy) herbal tea stuff, some medications, dried shrimp and dried scallops,” said Mr. Teng.
READ: COVID-19: SafeEntry digital registration system implemented in more than 16,000 locations
The shopping malls that CNA visited also had such precautions in place. Customers had to scan their ID cards or scan the SafeEntry QR code with their mobile phones when entering and leaving the building.
Entry time and details of each buyer are captured to assist in finding contracts in the event of a COVID-19 infection. This is one of the technological solutions that the authorities have implemented to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the community.
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