COVID-19: Saudi authorities to sanitize garbage containers in Mecca

Cairo: Authorities in the Saudi holy city of Mecca have ordered clean-up firms to sterilize and disinfect street garbage containers to protect public health and help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Head of the Mecca Shawqia municipality Eng. Akram Bin Ali Al Harbi said that directives have been made to private clean-up companies to disinfect garbage containers in cooperation with the General Cleanliness Authority, intensify clean-up works and remove waste from residential areas.

He urged citizens and expatriates to keep the holy city clean, avoid random disposal of garbage and protect the environment, online newspaper Sabq reported Wednesday.

Mecca, home to Islam’s holiest site, is known as Saudi Arabia’s “holy capital”.