Egypt ends early closing hours policy imposed amid energy crisis caused by Iran war

Egypt has ended early closure measures imposed on shops, restaurants and commercial centers after nearly a month, scrapping one of its main emergency steps introduced to contain the impact of the energy crisis caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The government said businesses would return to normal operating hours after suspending the previous decision that required shops, malls and restaurants to close at 11 pm local time (2000GMT).

The measure was introduced in late March to reduce fuel consumption after the war drove up global energy costs and sharply increased Egypt’s import bill.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly chaired a meeting of the central crisis management committee to review the impact of the ongoing US-Israeli-Iranian military escalation and its economic repercussions on the local economy, according to a Cabinet statement.

The Cabinet approved ending the early closure decision and restoring the previously applied normal working hours for shops, malls and restaurants.

Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsani said in a phone interview with a local channel that the decision had been fully canceled, while other energy-saving measures, including remote work on Sundays, would remain in place.

He said the move came in response to requests from the private sector, particularly the tourism sector.

On March 28, authorities ordered shops, malls, restaurants and cafes to close at 9 pm throughout the week, with operating hours extended to 10 pm on Thursdays and Fridays before the deadline was later pushed to 11 pm.

The government also introduced broader austerity measures, including switching off highway billboards and reducing street and public square lighting as part of a wider plan to curb energy consumption.

*Writing by Tarek Chouiref