The Jeddah Municipality has warned of stern action against food merchants located at the Haj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport if they cause any inconvenience to pilgrims or indulge in violations.

The municipality said it would have zero tolerance toward merchants who don’t comply with rules. It also advised merchants especially eateries and restaurants in the terminal to display prices, besides providing facilities like cool air and water to pilgrims.

Speaking to Arab News on Wednesday, Sami Nawar of the Jeddah Municipality said that all eateries and restaurants should display their signboards including commercial registration numbers so that any pilgrim can lodge a formal complaint against them.

He said that a special committee comprising officials from the police, Ministries of Health, Commerce and Industry and representatives of Haj operators has been constituted to monitor the functioning of eateries and other shops in the terminal.

He said that the Jeddah Municipality would carry out routine inspections during the Haj and Umrah season at the airport terminal to ensure that merchants meet Saudi standards and do not compromise on food items.

Nawar said the municipality had slapped penalties worth SR329,000 during the Haj season and booked 110 cases following 390 inspections at the Haj Terminal. The civic body also seized cans of Zamzam water which were kept in the sun.

He said the same vigil will be maintained during the upcoming Umrah season to ensure that traders don’t cheat pilgrims.