Saudi Arabia to allow alcohol consumption in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia authorities are set to open an alcohol store for non-Muslims and diplomats in its capital, Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia’s first alcohol store would serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a document and source familiar with this plan.

Customers will have to register via a mobile app, get a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and respect monthly quotas with their purchases, the report said.

Though the newspaper mentioned no specific date, the Saudi alcohol store is expected to bbe opened in the next few weeks.

Alcohol was banned in Saudi Arabia, a Muslim country, in 1952. Since then, alcohol consumption in Saudi has become a criminal offence punishable by law.