Syria’s newly established Islamist-led government has introduced a swimwear dress code for women at public beaches and swimming pools. According to a new tourism ministry decree issued on June 9, female visitors are now required to wear the burkini or any swimwear that fully covers the body in public swimming areas.
This is the first dress regulation of its kind since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December. The directive also outlines broader public safety rules for beaches and pools as summer approaches.
Interestingly, the regulation includes a clear exception. Western-style swimwear remains acceptable at private clubs, private beaches, and hotels rated four stars and above. However, the ministry emphasized that even in those settings, swimwear must still align with public decency and reflect societal values.
The decree advises women to cover up with a robe or loose-fitting garment while walking between beach areas and other parts of public facilities. Men are also expected to follow modesty guidelines. They are required to wear shirts outside swimming areas and are prohibited from walking around bare-chested in hotel lobbies, restaurants, and similar public zones.
The government further encouraged all beachgoers to avoid wearing tight or transparent clothes. In spaces beyond pools and beaches, clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is preferred.
These new regulations mark a shift in Syria’s public dress expectations, placing modesty at the center of public beach and pool policies under the current administration.
