Syria's new Islamist-led government has ordered women to wear burkinis or other swimwear that covers the body at public beaches and swimming pools, while permitting Western-style beachwear at private clubs and luxury hotels.

The tourism ministry's decision marks the first time the Damascus authorities have issued guidelines related to what women can wear since Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December.

Surprisingly, the ministry offered an exception for hotels classed as four stars or above, and for private beaches, pools, and clubs, saying 'normal Western swimwear' was generally permitted, 'with adherence to public morals and within the limits of public taste'.

The new requirements were set out in a wider decree dated June 9 which included public safety guidelines for beaches and swimming pools ahead of the summer.

It said that beach-goers and visitors to public pools should wear 'appropriate swimwear that respects public decency and the feelings of different segments of society', requiring 'more modest swimsuits' and specifying 'the burkini or swimming clothes that cover the body more'.

Women should wear a cover or a loose robe over their swimwear when moving between the beach and other areas, it said.

Men should wear a shirt when not swimming, and are not allowed to appear bare-chested 'in the public areas outside the swimming areas - hotel lobbies or ... restaurants', it said.

The decree added that 'in public areas outside the beaches and swimming pools', it was preferable to wear loose clothing that covers the shoulders and knees and to avoid transparent or very tight clothing.