Egypt considering nighttime shutdown of shops, cafes even after coronavirus crisis ends
Saad said that an 'initial proposal' has been put forward for continuing to close shops at night after the crisis ends
Egypt said it will consider shutting down commercial shops and cafes during specified nighttime hours even after the end of the coronavirus crisis, Cabinet spokesman Nader Saad said in statements on Friday.
Saad told privately-owned satellite channel MBC Masr that an “initial proposal” has been put forward for continuing to close shops at night after the crisis ends.
The proposal is based on a study by the local development and interior ministries, governorates and relevant authorities.
He said the government is determined to enforce this closure of shops, the timings for which will differ from one governorate to another.
The measure would be the first in the country’s history, Saad said, nearly one day after Egypt shortened the nighttime curfew by one hour, running from 8 pm until 4 am instead of the previous 5 am starting Sunday.
The curfew was first introduced in March as part of a series of measures to curtail the spread of the virus and has been extended several times since. Other measures include suspending air traffic, shuttering schools and universities, closing mosques and churches and banning public gatherings.
Per the government’s decision last Thursday, shops will be allowed to operate till 6 pm instead of 5 pm starting Sunday, and public transportation will be allowed to operate until 8 pm.
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