The Department of Economic Development in Ajman reported that it carried out 1,717 inspection visits to markets during the month of April to verify price controls and the commitment of economic establishments and their users to the precautionary measures to limit the spread of the Corona virus “Covid-19” emerging, pointing out that the campaigns resulted in an alert to 152 facilities. The closure of two facilities, and the liberalization of 46 violations, the most prominent of which were between eight violations resulting from tampering and price hikes, 12 violations of trafficking in counterfeit or adulterated goods, and 19 violations for non-compliance with the application of anti-epidemic instructions.
The director of the Department of Supervision and Consumer Protection of the department, Ahmed Khair Al Balushi, said that the department worked to raise awareness of 431 establishments through its inspection campaigns last month, noting that "the department employed the latest innovations and modern technologies in support of the field inspection and control process, such as the use of drones to enhance safety the public".
He added that "the department was keen on installing thermal cameras at the entrances and exits of shopping centers and commercial centers to detect any injuries, and installing meters connected to smart displays to monitor the numbers of visitors and shoppers present in the commercial centers, as well as identifying their age groups, as part of the efforts to address the epidemic."
He said, "The department was able to deal with a total of 844 complaints during last April, the most prominent of which were 451 complaints as a result of price hikes, and 76 complaints of trafficking in counterfeit or adulterated goods, and it also received a total of 822 reports, most of which were reports on raising prices by 721 reports, and 45 reports as a result of trafficking In counterfeit or adulterated goods, including masks and sterilizers that do not conform to specifications and standards, in addition to 34 reports of establishments' failure to implement precautionary measures and procedures.
He pointed out that "the percentage of complaints received during the last week of April has decreased compared to the beginning of the month by 41%, and communications have also decreased by 19% thanks to efforts to monitor and follow-up on markets and sales outlets around the clock."
He added that "the department works in cooperation with its partners in government agencies such as the Public Health Department in the Municipality and Planning Department in an integrated manner to control the sales outlets, as a unified work team was formed during the current period to unify efforts and adopt unified health requirements that included limiting the spread of the Corona virus, and we held awareness workshops Establishments to explain the controls, requirements, and measures that must be applied to preserve the safety of society, and several joint inspection campaigns "..." have been implemented.