File Photo: A view of the Cairo skyline from the Moqattam district. AP
The government announced on 18 March several measures to reduce consumption, including a nationwide closure time of 9pm.
On Friday, the cabinet issued a statement detailing the hours and the exemptions set to be implemented for a temporary month-long period.
Commercial venues will be required to close daily at 9:00 pm, except on Thursdays, Fridays, official holidays, and public occasions, when closing hours will be extended to 10:00 pm.
These venues include public shops, commercial centres, shopping malls, restaurants, cafés, bazaars, nightclubs, discos, souvenir shops, and tourist goods stores.
In addition, sports clubs, social clubs, and youth centres will have to abide by the new restrictions.
However, the government clarified that the decree does not affect the opening and closing schedules of workshops and craft-related businesses located within residential areas, fruit and vegetable shops, poultry stores, and wholesale markets.
According to the government's decree, home delivery services, where available, will continue to operate around the clock, ensuring uninterrupted access to goods and services for the public.
Additionally, the decree specifies several other exemptions, including grocery stores, supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, and tourist-licensed restaurants and cafés located at airports, seaports, land ports, and railway stations. Restaurants and cafes situated within or attached to hotel establishments have also been exempted.
Moreover, the decree does not apply to public shops and tourist facilities located in specific regions, including South Sinai, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Luxor, and Aswan. Public shops and tourist facilities located along the Nile corniche within Cairo and Giza have also been exempted.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed that the measures represent part of Egypt’s response to what he described as an unprecedented global energy shock. He pointed out that these measures aim primarily to ensure economic stability while limiting the burden on citizens.
Moreover, Madbouly stated that Egypt's monthly gas import bill jumped from $560 million to $1.65 billion. This significant price increase forced the government to adopt exceptional measures, he added.
On 10 March, Egypt raised fuel prices and subsequently transport fares. On Friday, the Ministry of Transport announced new increases in train ticket prices and certain metro fares.
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