RIYADH — On behalf of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MMRA), the mayoralties and municipalities have carried out washing and sterilization of over 85,191 sites between June 1 and June 6 at the level of regions, governorates and cities of the Kingdom to ensure the health and safety of members of society, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Monday. The specialized field teams have carried out intensive campaigns to spray and disinfect the districts, neighborhoods, public utilities, roads, sidewalks and storefronts in the regions, in addition to intensifying work in central markets and areas surrounding hospitals, hotels, malls, shopping centers, markets and within residential districts and neighborhoods, the ministry said. The MMRA added that 9,362 individuals working in the field of environmental sanitation and officials, including supervisors and field inspectors, supported by 6,491 equipment and heavy and light machinery, are participating in these campaigns. The sterilization works come as part of the continuous and consecutive precautionary measures being carried out by the MMRA to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The measures include washing and sterilization of garbage dumpsters using specialized equipment, and collecting household garbage so as to maintain a clean, hygienic and safe environment and public health in the residential districts, the ministry stressed. Field teams work round the clock under the management of specialized cadres, taking into account various factors, including population density and accessibility into the neighborhoods, the ministry said. The MMRA said that the disinfection operations coincide with the health monitoring and supervision of commercial establishments to follow up the implementation of the health conditions and precautionary measures the ministry has taken so as to combat the novel coronavirus infection, which includes placing ground-mounted signs to guide shoppers to maintain mandatory social distancing between them. The measures also include making it compulsory for shopkeepers and owners to ensure sterilization of shopping trolleys and baskets, availability of cleaning implements, and providing shoppers with hand sanitizers, sterilizers, face masks and gloves.
