The next time you wear traditional Emirati attire at tourist spots or outfits rented for some entertainment programmes, make sure those clothes are properly cleaned.

Dubai Municipality has found some tour organisers and entities rent or offer dirty wear to unsuspecting people, which they say could be a health risk.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, has issued a health warning against renting out and borrowing used costumes and outfits without proper cleaning and disinfection, the civic body said in a press release on Wednesday.

Another official told Gulf News that public health inspectors will issue fines starting from Dh2,000 for establishments violating the hygiene rule.

The warning came after the civic body found wrong and unhealthy practices by establishments that offer customers with used costumes and outfits for entertainment programmes, said Khalid Mohammad Sharif Al Awadi, the assistant director general of Dubai Municipality for Health, Safety and Environment Control

As per the circular, using the same item of clothing, shoes, socks, caps or any other items that come into contact with the skin is prohibited for usage by more than one customer if not cleaned properly.

“The reuse of specific costume or outfit for different customers whether for the purpose of photography or any other activities is prohibited, without properly cleaning and disinfecting the items after each customer’s usage,” said Al Awadhi.

Storing or throwing these clothes, shoes, socks, caps or any other items on the floor after usage is prohibited, he added.

“These items must be kept in special cabinets or baskets before or after cleaning and disinfection. The storage of clean and disinfected clothing and items must be done in suitable ventilated areas away from sources of contamination.”

He noted that cleaning and disinfecting of these items must be done as per relevant standards and best practices for each item.

Noting that the municipality is committed to protect and maintain highest levels of public health and safety, the official appealed to all business owners to follow these instructions in order to protect public health and safety.

Failure to comply with these directives shall result in punitive actions as per Local Order 11 of 2003 concerning public health and community safety, he added.

Hafiz Ghuloom, head of public health control section at Dubai Municipality, told Gulf News that the fine for the first offence will be Dh2000. “It will multiply for repeated offences.”

He said the practice of providing used clothes and accessories to customers is prevalent mainly in tourist sites, costume rental companies and some entertainment centres and shopping malls for events.

“In tourist areas you are given traditional outfits for taking photographs. Also in shopping malls, some big shops make customised clothing for activities and some make people wear uniforms for some programmes or shows.”

He said these outlets have to ensure that clothes worn by a customer are not reused by another one without cleaning or disinfecting them properly

source : gulfnews