KLANG: After months and months of closure, owners of businesses that offer non-essential services are heaving sighs of relief to be able to finally resume business.

       These businesses were given the green light to start operations beginning Oct 1 by the government.

       Blind masseuse Mohd Azman Ab Rahim - who runs a massage centre at PKNS Complex in Shah Alam - said he was finally able to return to earning a living for himself and his family.

       "It has been very difficult to make ends meet after having to stay closed for almost half a year," said the 49-year-old father of five children aged between 19 and 1 1/2.

       He said although business had resumed, he had to make many changes to meet the stringent Covid-19 related standard operating procedures (SOP).

       He added one of the measures he had to take was to reduce his workforce from seven to three due to the size of his place.

       "We have also removed the waiting area as waiting is no longer permissible," he said, adding that clients came on appointments only.

       Mohd Azman said the lengthy closure had also landed small businesses, especially those owned by disabled entrepreneurs like him, into trouble.

       "We are financially constrained as we have to pay rent for the many months we remained closed. When we want to apply for a bank loan, we are asked to submit bank statements for the last three months to indicate income," said Mohd Azman.

       He added this was difficult as there was no income whatsoever for the entire time they remained closed.

       Mohd Azman added he hoped the government would throw a lifeline to disabled entrepreneurs like him so that they will not end-up having to close their business.

       Meanwhile, nail salon owner Sereen Eng said all three outlets of her Posh Nail Spa in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, SS2 and Bukit Tunku were full house when operations resumed last month.

       "We had kept in touch with our clients through email and WhatsApp blasts throughout the five months closure and many had made pre-bookings," said Eng whose saloons also offered geriatric and diabetic nail care services.

       Eng said her saloons had managed to keep afloat, while being closed, by selling their products as well as pre-paid services during the period.

       "The sale of the pre-paid services allowed us to collect advance payments, and together with money from product sales, we were able to pay our rent and salaries during the closure," she added.

       Eng added all her outlets were adhering to stringent SOPs so that there would not be any untoward incidents.