Local beauty brand Bougas Beauty has deleted a photo of a massive gathering at its media event yesterday after drawing criticism for violating social distancing rules.
The photo that was posted to Instagram showed hundreds of attendees at the launch of its “New Game” beauty collection, posing for the camera without face masks on. That photo was no longer available on its Instagram page this morning but other photos of the same event were still up and showed smaller groups of different attendees. Only a handful were seen with masks on.
While there is no limit to the number of people allowed at public events, organizers are required to ensure a meter of space between attendees and that everyone wears a face mask. The beauty brand, owned by entrepreneur Erni Amin, has not responded to Coconuts KL’s request for comment.
A screenshot of the said photo was tweeted by user @InjangNation and has since been shared nearly 3,000 times. Those who criticized the event had labelled it as a potentially new COVID-19 “cluster” for purportedly disregarding SOPs.
https://twitter.com/InjangNation/status/1301195229194723332
“Aduhai (Oh dear). These people are not bad. COVID has not disappeared yet, soon there will be a Bougas Beauty cluster,” Twitter user @NarshAli wrote.
Some speculated that the company known for their facial serums were simply searching for clout. It is common among local brands to post photos of large groups at their events to suggest that they had a big following.
“It’s normal for these cosmetics gang. They’ll do stuff that isn’t allowed for free marketing,” user @Nuqnuqmaman said in the replies to the viral tweet.
As Malaysia continues with its recovery movement control-order phase, which has been extended until Dec 31, social gatherings like this press conference are allowed as long as safe distancing of one meter apart for each guest is enforced. Violators risk a fine of RM1,000 (US$230) or six months’ jail.
Other safe distancing measures required of events include making hand sanitizers available at entrances.
Malaysia has recorded 9,360 COVID-19 cases since the infection began in February, with six new infections yesterday. The death toll stands at 125.
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