This initiative helped foster an educated community that realizes the importance of social distancing, and it highlighted the commitment of the city’s residents to the application of health precautions.

The initiative did not have many financial requirements. Therefore, support was provided in-kind. The initiative ultimately aimed to promote social distancing in Al Mandaq, and it had a positive impact on public health indicators (e.g. reduced crowding, reduced the number of people affected by the epidemic, reduced the number of deaths, reduced the number of traffic accidents, etc.) Furthermore, the initiative helped reduce congestion in worker housing, markets, and workplaces.

Regarding post-pandemic prospects, the initiative proved that the community is ready to coexist with COVID-19. The presence of a group that is ready, able, and willing to volunteer was highlighted by the initiative, and they are prepared to serve the community whenever necessary. Furthermore, the spacing guidelines in public places will remain in place to limit the spread of viruses.

Statement from the Governor of Mandaq:

Since the beginning of the spread of Corona Virus, the Governor of Mandaq, head of the Supreme Committee of the program, sensed the importance of this and began working in the field side by side with the relevant teams.

He contributed to raising the morale of the teams through words of motivation, encouragement, and inspiration, especially by declaring that our city is healthy. This bolstered a sense of responsibility towards the maintenance of our city and limiting the spread of COVID-19 in it to remain healthy.

Results:

The city did not register a large number of cases because of social distancing.

Other Comments:

The Al Mandaq Healthy City Program, in cooperation with relevant authorities, implemented several initiatives that aimed to achieve the following:

1. Cooperate with the workers housing follow-up committee.
2. Work with medical teams to check shoppers and educate them about the importance of social spacing.
3. Attracting volunteers and encouraging them to participate in initiatives.
4. Encourage employees in their workplaces to abide by health standards
5. Work with social development committees to implement initiatives for those affected by the pandemic.

During the onset of COVID-19, the supreme committee of the City of Mandaq Health Program held a meeting to decide on preventative measures. The committee agreed to launch the 'We Check You When You Arrive' initiative, which was based at the main entrance to the healthy city of Mandaq. It aimed to examine all newcomes to Mandaq and measure COVID-19 indicators, and refer people with symptoms to the hospital. It was implemented by the Al Mandaq Healthy Cities Program, in collaboration with the Security Control Center in Mounjah, local hospitals, health volunteers, and others. 

This initiative primarily targeted people at greater risk, such as: the elderly, chronic patients, pregnant women, children, and people with special needs. Through the initiative, masks, sterilizers, awareness brochures and tutorials on proper hand sterilization and mask use were made available. 

Results:

• Contributed to mitigating the rise in cases by identifying individuals with symptoms.
• Inspiring a sense of responsibility among all participants
• Volunteers were highlighted as pillars of the program.
• Strong presence of the program in the region.