Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Madinah - Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Authorities Resolve Overcrowding in Madinah

Authorities impose preventive measures in Madinah. (SPA)

The Imarat Al Madinah region has completed implementing various procedures and measures, approved by Madinah Governor Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, to end overcrowding among foreign laborers residential areas in the city amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The urgent efforts of the Employment Housing Committee in Madinah have resulted in quick solutions to the problem before the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

They included providing temporary accommodation in hotels in the Markaziya region until alternative arrangements are made and health requirements are met.

Additional medical tests are being conducted to ensure that no laborers are infected with the coronavirus. The infected will be provided with necessary medical care in coordination with the Health Affairs Department in the region.

These measures were adopted after the relevant committee carried out a comprehensive sweep of the residential neighborhoods and verified whether they abide by the regulations approved by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

Eight hundred houses, accommodating more than 50,000 workers were inspected. Through the authorities’ efforts, more than 11,000 workers have been relieved of overcrowding. Some 3,000 workers are now staying in hotels in Markaziya. Housing for 8,000 laborers is being prepared.

The authorities provided more than 40,000 free meals and 85,000 food baskets at their accommodation, especially in neighborhoods that were under total lockdown. More than 488,000 free meals have been offered before Ramadan and during the holy month.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.