ABHA, 18 January — Municipal officials in the southern city of Khamis Mushayt examined 1,150 restaurant workers as part of the municipality’s efforts to curb the increasing violations of hygiene regulations at eateries in the city.
Health officials swung into action following repeated complaints from local residents — particularly on the Old Airport Road — about squalid restaurants manned by unclean laborers, which were filling their neighborhoods with foul smells.
A customer at a local restaurant said he had noticed a number of mice scurrying behind the refrigerator. When he drew this to the attention of the Asian worker there, he did not appear to care.
Speaking about steps undertaken to end such health violations, the chairman of the Abha municipality, Muhammad Al-Shahari, said: "Municipal inspectors registered 215 violations in 428 surprise visits to the restaurants in Khamis Mushayt."
A municipal official attributed the phenomenon to the insufficient number of inspectors at the municipality who can actively enforce health regulations. While the number of restaurants is on the increase, extra inspectors have not been appointed, he added.
The violators are being punished with fines, a suspension of their licenses and by having their restaurants closed down.
Officials are also conducting random checks to ensure that the health certificates carried by restaurant workers are valid and genuine.
