Through visits within the A’ali region, the team identified issues pertinent to overcrowding in collective housing among expats. Due to the possibility of the disease spreading due to overcrowding, the team advised the workers to practise social distancing and proceeded to adjust their housing situations.

The initiative targets expat laborers within the A’ali region, and it was funded by the Northern Governorate.

The initiative is part of a national initiative implemented by the Northern Governorate in March 2020 in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the Information and eGovernment Authority, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Development, and Electricity and Water Authority to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among expats, with the aim of reducing overcrowding in shared housing, and raising their level of awareness by encouraging them to follow preventive measures and reduce the spread of the disease.

The initiative resulted in residents of collective housing making lifestyle changes, particularly in terms of practising effective social distancing. It also incentivised the creation of a database of expat housing in A’ali, and it also allowed for the removal of various faults within expat housing. 

Upon the initiative's conception, the goal was to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19 among expat labour forces by reducing overcrowding in shared housing by 15% within one month.

By spreading awareness of the importance of social distancing among expats, the number of infected cases decreased thereby reducing the cost of treatment. Furthermore, the initiative contributed to raising the level of awareness among expats about the disease and how to limit its spread.

In addition to reducing the spread of COVID-19, a core outcome of the initiative centers on the creation of an expat housing database. The initiative reduced overcrowding in shared housing and promoted a sense of partnership within the community.

Adherence to social distancing standards and following precautionary guidelines helps reduce the prevalence of COVID-19, which creates a healthy housing environment for expat laborers. This will therefore result in a healthier community post-pandemic.