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Sharjah Police to deploy 365 patrols during Eid Al Fitr to ensure Covid-19 rules compliance

Dubai - Major-Gen Al Shamsi says officers will issue fines to violators of the national sterilisation programme curfew.

A total of 365 police patrols will be deployed across the emirate during the Eid Al Fitr holidays to ensure that the residents are complying with the restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. 
Addressing a virtual press conference organised by the Sharjah Government Media Office, Major-General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, said that hundreds of security and traffic patrols will be deployed on the emirate's roads and across the residential and industrial areas. 
"The patrols will issue fines for all those who violate the curfew during National Sterilisation Programme," he added.  
The police will continue to enforce the guidelines to support the National Sterilisation Programme being carried out in coordination with the municipality and other entities. 
Major-Gen Al Shamsi said a committee has been formed to curb the spread of Covid-19 in all industrial areas in the emirate, which has officials from Sharjah Police, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Economic Development Department and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.  
"The committee, in coordination with the health authorities, is working on carrying out test among the workers on daily basis. As many as 97,645 workers from 31 labour accommodations had been tested for Covid-19 and a few cases were found to be positive." 
He said the workers who were tested positive provided with care and treatment, while those who had been in contact with them were quarantined in one labour accommodation. The ban preventing workers from travelling outside the emirate has contributed in limiting the spread of the virus among the workers. 
 Maj-Gen Al Shamsi said despite the intensified awareness campaign, there is a lack of awareness among workers. 
"The second challenge is that many companies failed to provide accommodation and food to its workers, due to financial difficulties. The police, in coordination with the Sharjah Charity, have managed to ensure accommodation and food for these workers. We are also addressing other issues being faced by workers and ensuring that they receive their salaries," added the police chief. 
Responding to a question from Khaleej Times, Maj-Gen Al Shamsi said the police would use drones and loud speakers in residential areas to alert the residents of the danger of gathering during Eid celebrations and will fine any group that is found gathering in public streets and areas. 
He urged residents to stay home and refrain from gathering during Eid days to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 
100 per cent sterilisation 
Thabit Al Turaifi, Director-General of Sharjah Municipality, said the sterilisation programme covered 100 per cent of Sharjah areas. The municipality will continue the sterilisation during Eid and until the Covid-19 threat is over. 
The municipality has carried out 330 hours of sterilisation to date and will continue it using 900 pieces of advanced equipment. The work is being carried out by 1,200 workers from various municipal departments. 
Al Turaifi said that no government entities can order reduction in rent for residential and commercial units. "The owners of these units themselves are facing financial issues. However, those who fail to pay the rent are being assisted by the Sharjah Charity Association." 
Inspections intensified 
Fahad Al Khamairi, director of the License Section at the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), said the inspection teams had intensified inspections by targeting hair salons and beauty centres to ensure that they are implementing precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 
The inspection also targets all commercial outlets, malls and hypermarkets to confirm their compliance to the rules. 
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com