Abu Dhabi: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have shut down 48 restaurants and fined 321 others in Asir for breaking safety rules and regulations.
The closures came as municipality teams inspected 374 restaurants and eateries in the province, local media reported on Wednesday.
The teams reported that 144 restaurants and cafeterias did not comply with sanitation rules and that some of them had to be shut down for serious violations.
More than 1,500kg of foods unfit for human consumption were confiscated and destoryed during the inspections, they said.
“The raids are part of an intensive campaign by the Asir municipality to ensure that all restaurants, cafeterias and food facilities comply with the highest health and safety standards,” the authorities said.
“We want to make sure that the residents and visitors of Riyadh are served healthy and safe food.”
The municipality urged people to contact its teams whenever they wish to report any kind of violation, especially those related to health and safety.
It warned that any establishment found in breach of the regulations would be penalised.
7 massage parlours shut in crackdown
The Asir inspection teams also cracked down on women’s massage and beauty parlours.
Seven violating parlours were closed for lack of health certificates for female workers and trading licences, as well as low level of hygiene.
The teams seized and destroyed a quantity of materials of unknown sources and composition, authorities said.
Saudis welcomed the inspections and lauded the teams for their work. However, they urged them to name and shame the restaurants, cafeterias and parlours in the media so that people avoid and boycott them.
