RIYADH — Within the directives of the Eastern Province Emir Prince Saud Bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, and within the extensive measures taken to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Dammam 2nd Industrial City has started working on establishing temporary housing to receive expatriate workers through the joint efforts of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (Modon), the Eastern Province Municipality, and the Eastern Chamber, and in coordination with the Ministry of Health. Acting Director of Marketing and Corporate Communication and Modon spokesperson Kosai Alabdulkarim stated that the temporary housing will host individuals who interacted with patients who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, so they can be isolated until their lab results are out, adding that the housing spans 10,000 square meters. He explained that Modon will provide water and sanitation services, in addition to coordinating with the General Directorate of Civil Defense to supervise the safety of facilities, with a fire brigade to be provided at a later date. He noted that the site will be secured by the Eastern Province police. Dammam 2nd Industrial City features a residential area for factory workers comprising 202 residential buildings spanning one million square meters and accommodating approximately 25,000 workers. Alabdulkarim explained that workers suspected of being infected with the coronavirus will be transferred to the temporary housing along with individuals who interacted with them, where they will be tested by the Ministry of Health. Afterwards, positive cases will be isolated and quarantined in the designated hospital, while negative cases will be returned to their homes. At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Modon coordinated with its partners in the government, public and private sectors to implement preventative measures and health practices and prevent gatherings in general. It provided more than 400 security personnel to implement the procedures around the clock in all industrial cities. Alabdulkarim emphasized that Modon is committed to reducing the number of employees in production lines to a minimum so that workers in administrative offices of unexempted operational units do not exceed 40 percent. Work in all main offices was halted directly and completely, with follow-ups to ensure compliance with government directives in this regard. This is in addition to inspection tours to detect violations and report them to the concerned authorities, which could result in the closure of offending facilities to protect workers and their families. He explained that factory workers and employees were urged not to leave their homes except when absolutely necessary, and that employees should carry identification cards that prove their employment in industrial cities and factories to avoid getting fined. The challenges arising from the imposed curfew are being escalated and communicated to relevant entities in the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. Modon has stopped serving meals inside restaurants and closed all crowded and recreational areas, as well as all retail shops and sports clubs. It also periodically checks the implementation of procedures and takes visitors' temperatures. Since its launch in 2001, Modon has been concerned with the development of integrated industrial lands. Today, it oversees 35 industrial cities (existing and under development) across the Kingdom, as well as special industrial cities and complexes. To date, developed industrial lands have exceeded 198.8 million square meters, while existing industrial cities comprise more than 3,500 operational factories.
