The DED carried out 1,890 inspection campaigns in different regions of Ajman.

As many as 36 establishments, including hypermarkets, pharmacies, cafés, hair salons, gyms, billiard clubs, foodstuff shops, fruit and vegetable trading stores, have been closed down by the Ajman Department Economic Development for blatantly disregarding prescribed rules amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Two factories and shops found manufacturing and selling fake face masks were shut during the department's extensive inspection campaigns at emirate's markets.

These unlicensed outlets had masks which violated the UAE's approved specifications and standards. They were being sold to cash in on the rising demand of the product in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ahmed Khair Al Blooshi, director of the department of control and consumer protection, said: "The DED takes all measures necessary to combat the exploitation of the current situation by some people.

Inspection teams are ready to apprehend violators and are working round-the-clock. The DED carried out 1,890 inspection campaigns in different regions of emirate of Ajman, as part of the precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. The campaigns involved more than 20 activities in the emirate and resulted in issue of violations, including fines and warnings against 90 establishments. Violations varied from non-compliance with the DED's instructions, conditions and controls, increasing vegetables prices, failure to observe restricted gatherings of support staff in offices, offering foodstuff and service delivery outside the shops without permission and conducting economic activity without licence or permit.

"Inspection campaigns also included the closure of 36 erring establishments. The DED has dedicated a direct line with Ajman Government Contact Center and inspection employees to receive any complaint from consumers. A total of 430 complaints were received through the center, and inspection team had moved directly to the establishments to verify the complaint and take deterrent measures as per the law," he added.

The DED invites public to purchase face masks from medical outlets and pharmacies that are subject to control and compliant with the medical conditions and specifications. They should avoid buying masks that do not carry the manufacturing details, the department cautioned.