258 establishments closed during mass inspection, 7 remain closed

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that it ordered the temporary closure of 258 business establishments during its recent mass inspection of business establishments in the greater Male’ region to check for compliance with safety guidelines issued by the agency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

HPA initiated the mass inspection of cafés and restaurants, shops, gyms and fitness centers, salons and markets following the relaxation of the lockdown in July.

In a press conference at Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) on Thursday night, HPA’s Director Ahmed Naseer said the agency initiated a mass inspection of business establishments in the greater Male’ region on July 12, and a follow-up inspection from July 29 to August 8.

MASS INSPECTION STATS:

• Male’ (1,179 establishments inspected, 204 establishments closed)
• Hulhumale’ (296 establishments inspected, 48 establishments closed)
• Vilimale’ (51 establishments inspected, 3 establishments closed)
• Thilafushi (17 establishments inspected, 3 establishments closed)
• Hulhule’ (2 establishments inspected, none closed)

“Total 1,545 establishments in the greater Male’ area were inspected. 258 of the establishments were closed for violation of the guidelines,” said Ahmed Naseer.

He said that most of the cafes and restaurants that were closed lacked arrangements for social distancing. And that some of the shops were found to be permitting shoppers beyond the maximum shoppers limit, and lacking social distancing markers.

Ahmed Naseer said that the business category noted for the most violations were barber shops.

“We observed that customers beyond the maximum limit in barber shops, and seeking services without any distancing. The guidelines state service providers must stand a certain way, to not use hand-held items used on one customer on another, or how they may be used. The establishments which were closed were closed due to failure to follow these rules,” he said.

Meanwhile, gyms were closed due to lack of implementation of an appointment system as stated in the guidelines, and markets which were closed lacked a maximum limit for customers and guidelines for employees and customers.

Ahmed Naseer said that establishments which were closed were allowed to remedy the violations and reopen the next day, and that seven establishments remained closed.

“They are two salons, two shops and three cafes and restaurants. One of the salons has not been allowed to reopen because it has yet to comply with the guidelines. And six establishments haven’t been allowed to reopen because we haven’t received requests from the owners yet,” he said.

He said HPA planned on expanding the inspections in the future.