190 businesses shut in Saudi for violating health protocols

JEDDAH — Inspection teams from Jeddah Municipality have ordered the closure of 190 stores, including 59 workshops, for violating COVID-19 health protocols, local media reported.

Mohammad Bin Ibrahim Al-Zahrani, undersecretary for sub-municipalities, said inspection visits were intensified to ensure the businesses’ compliance with health and municipal requirements, resulting in the closure of 190 businesses.

Al-Zahrani emphasized the keenness of the Jeddah Municipality on implementing regulations and precautionary measures to stem the spread of the pandemic.

The official also thanked the residents of Jeddah for their cooperation in reporting municipal violations through the emergency number and application “Baladi 940”, to contribute to improving the services provided to them and maintain public health.

According to the newly-revised protocols, businesses are required to adhere to precautionary measures which include providing their staff with disinfectants and sanitizers and taking the temperatures of both staff and customers at the entrances of shopping malls.

Other measures include sterilizing shopping trolleys and baskets after each use, sanitizing facilities and surfaces, closing children’s play areas and fitting rooms in shopping malls and ready-wear outlets.

Any gathering of shoppers or workers inside or outside a shopping mall in a way that exceeds the numbers stipulated in the precautionary measures and preventive measures will attract a penalty of SR5,000 for each person exceeding the stipulated numbers, but not exceeding SR100,000.