This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
On Sunday, December 9, 2019, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs announced that it would no longer require restaurants to have separate entrances for men and women.
This move marks a significant easing of social restrictions in the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom, where gender segregation has been enforced for decades.
Restaurants in Saudi Arabia have traditionally had separate entrances for single men and families, with the latter often being required to enter through a separate door.
However, many restaurants have quietly removed these barriers in recent years, as the kingdom has undergone a sweeping liberalization drive.
The latest reform was welcomed by young Saudis on social media, but dismissed by arch-conservatives who argued that it went against Islamic law.
The move is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to project a more moderate and business-friendly image of the kingdom, as he seeks to attract investment and modernize the country.
Under Prince Mohammed's leadership, Saudi Arabia has made significant reforms, including allowing mixed-gender music concerts, ending decades-long bans on cinemas and women drivers, and clipping the powers of hard-line clerics.
