A number of restaurant owners whose businesses have been shut down recently by Jeddah's municipality, have defied the decision by opening their doors again. Several owners also tried to attack inspectors, requiring the intervention of police to help close down their businesses.

Muhammed Al-Buqami, Jeddah municipality's spokesman, confirmed the events, noting that the decision to shut down the restaurants is only temporary. He said some of the establishments that opened without approval from the municipality, have been shut down again, and received a fine for violating the municipality's ruling.

Al-Buqami also addressed the recent complaints made by these restaurant owners to the Makkah governorate, calling the municipality's decree, an injustice.

“We will continue to shut down any restaurant that provides unclean food, improper store supplies or operates without a license.

Anyone who views this as injustice can take their case to court,” Al-Buqami said.

According to the official, the municipality will continue its inspection of all food-related facilities in the city, regardless of the size or popularity of the establishment.

Al-Buqami said that publicly denouncing offending restaurants is part of the municipality’s accountability to citizens with regard to their health and safety.

Though considered a harsh measure, the official claimed that only when the names of the offending establishments are published for everyone to know, do the rulings have a real impact. Previously, business owners would simply pay the fines and continue breaking the law, Al-Buqami said.