The Eastern Province Municipality found nearly 800 violations in women’s beauty salons across the province during the first half of this year.

Muhammad Al-Sufian, municipality spokesman, said that inspectors routinely found hair or skin care products that are either expired or come from unknown sources during rounds.

“Some workers were found not to be in possession of health certificates, while other shops had unlicensed medical devices inside salons or failed to sterilize tools effectively,” he said.

Al-Sufian said that the municipality has intensified field tours on female beauty salons during the Eid Al-Adha holiday in order to raise awareness among owners, workers and customers about the seriousness of transmitting infectious diseases, especially during holiday seasons and special occasions, when demand for services increases.

“There is a specific mechanism for opening women’s beauty salons derived from a list drafted by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. The list stipulates requirements and work procedures to ensure customers’ and workers’ safety,” Al-Sufaian added.