Abu Dhabi health officials dish out fines to dirty laundries

Dozens of barbers and laundry firms have been fined for unhygienic practices.

Environmental health officers carried out on-the-spot inspections of a range of outlets - such as barber shops, beauty salons, laundries and restaurants. Among the violations they discovered were laundry lying on dirty floors, untrained staff and unsterilised hairdressing equipment being used.

Officials slapped fines on 113 firms found flouting rules during the campaign. Another 74 outlets were issued with warnings and told to clean up their act.

The visits are being con­ducted the Public Health Department at Abu Dhabi Municipality.

“The inspections on hair-cutting salons focus on verifying employees’ com­pliance with the white dress code and ensuring they operate the sterilisation equipment properly,” said Khaleefa Al Romaithi, head of public health.

He said inspection teams also take samples from cosmetics, cutting appliances, disinfection solutions and sterilisation equipment at firms that are checked using microbiological cultures.

The teams also inspect laser equipment to make sure

it conforms with Health Authority Abu Dhabi regulations.

Al Romaithi added that in laundries, inspectors look out for irregularities such as clothes being put on the floor and concrete basins and hand-washing sinks being used to wash laundry.

Coffee shops, cafeterias and restaurants, he added, have to ensure their outdoor seating areas are at least 30m from residential areas and must not border places of worship, schools, hospitals or ATMs.

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