Saudi residents say booze ban eased for more foreigners

PREMIUM RESIDENTS

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FOREIGN residents living in Saudi Arabia say that restrictions on the sale of alcohol have been further relaxed, just days after non-diplomats were first able to buy booze in the conservative kingdom.

Non-Muslim foreign residents earning at least 50000 riyals a month (R227 175) are now able to purchase drinks at the country’s sole alcohol shop in Riyadh, according to six people who spoke to AFP.

Late last month, premium visa-holders were able to buy booze in Riyadh, marking the first time residents who were not foreign diplomats were able to purchase alcohol at the shop in the capital's diplomatic quarter.

And then the rules were quietly eased again.

In recent days, individuals said they provided their residency documents to staff at the shop, who then checked their salary information using a Saudi platform, before selling them alcohol.