Municipality in overdrive to ensure cleanliness, food safety during Eid

The General Cleanness Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has been engaged in intense preparations for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr, according to a statement. “The cleaning works will go on round-the-clock during the Eid holidays as special field work teams have been formed to provide the necessary workforce,” Safar Mubarak al-Shafi, assistant undersecretary for General Services Affairs, MME, said. These teams will cover all the cities and areas of the country with special focus on sites where crowds gather, such as the recreation and entertainment areas, in particular the corniche, public gardens and parks, beaches and seashores. A large number of garbage containers will be distributed at all such locations and the trash will be collected as frequently as possible to avoid any accumulation. However, al-Shafi stressed that the daily work programme of cleaning will continue as usual and will not be adversely affected by the Eid holidays. He also stressed that the department takes into consideration the rights of cleaning workers and drivers, and would schedule their work shifts in a way that would allow them to enjoy the Eid holidays. In the meantime, the department gave special importance for the cleaning works at the areas designated as prayer yards to keep them in the best possible shape to receive the large number of the faithful for the Eid prayers. Work at such places has been done in co-operation with the entities concerned. In addition, more focus will be given to the beaches including Al Corniche, Sealine, Al Khor, Al Wakrah and Al Ghuwaryiah and others due to the large number of visitors expected. Al-Shafi also urged the public to abide by the rules and regulation of public cleanness and hygiene and avoid careless disposal of refuse, using only the designated containers.In the meantime, Al Khor and Al Thakhira Municipality Health Control Section has maintained tighter control on the food facilities and outlets there as part of its preparations for Eid al-Fitr through regular and surprise inspection campaigns on morning and afternoon shifts. The targeted outlets include sweets and nuts shops, slaughterhouses and meat shops, eateries and shopping complexes to ensure that the food products for sale are safe for human consumption. Besides, six veterinarians have been assigned the task of supervising the slaughterhouses, the fish market, the meat and poultry shops in addition to the other health inspectors to make sure that all the necessary procedures for food safety are maintained.