Saudi public decency laws overhauled in anticipation of tourists


Issue 1089 - 04 Oct 2019 | 1 minute read

Alongside the widely-trailed decision to start issuing tourist visas to passport holders from 49 countries, announced in late September, Riyadh has formally codified public decency laws for 19 offences. The offences cover infractions such as public displays of affection, dropping litter, taking pictures of people without permission, spitting and queue jumping. It also relaxes the convention on women’s dress – it will no longer be a requirement for women to cover their hair or wear abayas provided they are modestly dressed.

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