The Khamis Mushayt municipality has closed down 30 gypsum plants in Umm Srar neighborhood for violating health and safety regulations.

Mesfer Al-Wadai, mayor of the city, said several plants were permanently closed. Others were closed temporarily until they correct their shortcomings.

“The municipality will be monitoring their activities to ensure they abide by the regulations. Some of the plants were found operating in old houses inside the neighborhoods,” said Al-Wadai.

Al-Wadai said the municipality's inspectors have also been conducting regular checks downtown in the Al-Darb area where illegal workers sell goods from vehicles, pavements and on the streets.

The inspectors confiscated more than 30 vehicles and fined their owners for selling goods without licenses.

“Members of the administrative control department in Khamis Mushayt conducted the inspections, aided by the traffic department and other security bodies,” he said.

He said the teams also removed two shacks on the Military City Road that were built without permits.

Mubarak Al-Mubarak, director general of the municipality, said officials are in the process of removing more than 25 products from herbal shops with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. “The products, contrary to what the shop owners claim, are fake remedies. The municipality continuously monitors these products out of concern for the health and safety of consumers,” said Al-Mubarak.