Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH – Acting Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Majed Al-Huqail has approved the health rules and regulations for housing facilities for male and female workers, as part of the precautionary measures taken by the ministry to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the Kingdom. According to the new rules, fines ranging between SR5,000 and SR10,000 will be imposed on employer in the event of violation of any of the health conditions at the housing of workers and if the violations are repeated, the penalties will be multiplied.

According to the rules and regulations, there should be separate housing units for male and female workers, irrespective of whether they are properties of the employer or rented ones. There shall be a minimum space of 12 square meters for the accommodation of each worker as the ideal physical distance between workers that would help avoiding transmission of any infection.

There is also a provision that the person responsible for the work must inform the competent health authorities in the event of any infectious diseases occurring to any of his employees, and furnish the catering hall with adequate number of tables and chairs that can be washed and sterilized.

The workers’ housing shall be operational after obtaining approval from the municipality for the construction or renting, and this will be in a way not causing harm to neighbors. The accommodation for bachelors should not be located adjacent to residential places of families. The housing for workers especially bachelors shall be on a main road surrounding the neighborhood, and at least 500 meters away from schools and dormitories of girls.

The accommodation shall have fulfilled all the natural health factors, such as exposure to sunlight and fresh air, as well as free from dust, gases, fumes and unpleasant odors. There should be a board, containing information such as name and address of the company or establishment of the workers, placed at the entrance of the accommodation, and the accommodation shall be away from cemeteries. The ground floor of the accommodation shall be on a higher elevation and not exposed to flooding with water, with availability of electricity and water fit for human consumption.

The accommodation shall be within the boundaries of the urban area, and away from the workplaces from where there is emission of polluted air such as gases, dust, smoke, liquid or solid waste, or anything that is harmful to health. There should also be care not to build accommodation in the passage of winds for workplaces.