The Jeddah Mayoralty is currently applying new measures that would ensure the application of hygiene regulations by local restaurants, Al-Watan Arabic daily reported here in Jeddah Friday. Previously restaurant owners paid fines for not abiding to health regulations. However government surveys have revealed, violators are not deterred from committing the same health violations over and over again. “We are advising restaurant owners on the importance of enforcing hygienic rules which would yield better results than simply fining them,” said Mahmoud Knsara, Deputy Mayor for Market Affairs and Foodstuffs. Initial results showed a large portion of the restaurant owners have responded positively to this friendly approach demonstrated by the changes restaurants have undergone in order to cope with the rules, Knsara said. The Mayoralty has applied this measure in Al-Sahafa district, which has proved to be a success; therefore the plan will be expanded into more districts. Knsara said it should be understood that the major goal is to preserve public health and also change misconceptions that the Mayoralty does little else than fine people and create problems for them. Basher Abu Najm, an official at the Mayoralty said since the implementation of the new rules restaurants have raced to improve hygiene standards of their restaurants in order to abide by the new regulations. Najm said that the small-scale test is worthy of applying it to other areas outside of Jeddah because it has effectively helped restaurant owners in generating a sense of responsibility towards their customers and the society at large.
