Saudi Arabia lifts ban on segregation of women in restaurants

Women will no longer have to be segregated from men in restaurants in Saudi Arabia, according to the country’s government.

The announcement from the Saudi ministry of municipalities and rural affairs comes as the latest reform to ease the strict social rules that have been in effect across the kingdom for decades.

It cited a desire to attract investments and greater business opportunities as a reason for the decision, in a statement published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has looked to relax the rules in Saudi Arabia by ordering a number of reforms and reducing the powers of the kingdom’s religious police.

In 2017, women were allowed entry into sports stadiums in family designated sections, while a year later they were also given the right to drive.

This August, a further ban was lifted to allow women to apply for a passport and travel without first obtaining the permission of their male guardian.

Via Sky News