Saudi Arabia ends gender-segregated entrances for restaurants

Restaurants in Saudi Arabia will no longer need to maintain entrances segregated by sex, authorities have said, in a move upending a major hallmark of conservative restrictions that had been in place for decades

Previously, Saudi Arabia required all restaurants to have one entrance for families and women, and another for men on their own. Unrelated men and women have for decades been barred from mixing in public places in the country

The Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs announced on Twitter on Sunday Dec 08,2019 this would no longer be mandatory

The new rules are not compulsory, meaning restaurants could still maintain separate entrances if owners choose to do so, he said

 

There was no announcement of changes to other public establishments, such as schools and hospitals, which appear likely to remain segregated for now.