DAMMAM: Saudi municipalities have shut 79 commercial outlets as part of their efforts to monitor compliance with health and safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Eastern Province municipality carried out 10,139 inspection tours in one week across shopping malls, commercial centers and stores.
These checks resulted in 43 commercial outlets being shut down, while 544 violators were issued with penalties for ignoring health regulations.
The violations included noncompliance with social distancing and wearing a mask, leniency in measuring the temperature of customers, overcrowding issues, and a failure to effectively use the Tawakkalna app.
The municipality said it had received 2,320 reports of violations. It urged all commercial facilities to respect and abide by regulations to ensure public safety and prevent the virus from spreading. Jeddah authorities closed 36 commercial outlets for breaching coronavirus protocols. The municipality of Jeddah governorate carried out 8,103 inspection tours of commercial centers and facilities in two days, identifying 61 violations.
79 outlets shut due to COVID-19 violations across Saudi Arabia
https://arab.news/5r8w3
79 outlets shut due to COVID-19 violations across Saudi Arabia
- The municipality of Jeddah governorate carried out 8,103 inspection tours
Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah nature reserves win Dark Sky recognition
- The two reserves in AlUla join more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution
- AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve, also both in AlUla, received Dark Sky Park designations last year
ALULA: Two more nature reserves in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla have won recognition as Dark Sky Places, joining more than 250 locations worldwide that are protected from light pollution.
The official accreditation of Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah reserves from the DarkSky International builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park designations.
The latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night sky protection and astronomical tourism, said the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Dark Sky International also announced the recognition in an earlier report, noting that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah’s combined area of 6,146 square kilometers reflects the “expanded scope of environmental protection efforts aimed at preserving AlUla’s pristine night skies and reducing light pollution across a vast geographical area.”
DarkSky International works to reduce light pollution in both urban and rural areas and to raise global awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky.
AlUla’s protected areas are located in the heart of northwest Arabia, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla in Madinah Province.
“Towering sandstone cliffs, labyrinthine canyons, tranquil basins, and volcanic formations create a dramatic setting where geological diversity, cultural heritage, and thriving biodiversity converge beneath exceptionally dark, open skies,” Dark Sky said.
Scientists have noted that AlUla’s natural isolation from urban light sources, combined with ideal atmospheric conditions, makes it a world-class destination for stargazing, astronomy education, and immersive dark-sky experiences.
With the phased development of its reserves, AlUla is now ranked 3rd globally in the Dark Sky Park category, solidifying its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for astronomical discovery.
The RCU reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the natural environment, preserving the night sky, and promoting sustainable tourism, further positioning AlUla as a leading global destination for astronomy, scientific research, and advanced environmental experiences, in line with AlUla Vision and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
