Scenes released by the Mecca municipality from the exposed poultry-breeding site.
Scenes released by the Mecca municipality from the exposed poultry-breeding site. Image Credit: Supplied

Cairo: Municipal authorities in the Saudi holy city of Mecca said they had raided a site for breeding and slaughtering poultry without complying with health rules.

The Mecca municipality said on Twitter that its inspectors in conjunction with security agencies had raided the site in the city’s Wadi Rahjan area.

Authorities also confiscated from the site over 400 hens, which showed symptoms of sickness.

In recent months, Saudi health and municipal authorities have stepped up inspection tours nationwide to ensure compliance with health precautions as the country is seeking to limit the spread of COVID-19, resulting in dozens of shutdowns.

Businesses breaching the COVID-19 regulations are liable to a fine of at least SR10,000 that is doubled on repetition along with closure.