In brief
In response to soaring energy prices linked to the Iran war, the Egyptian government has mandated early closures for shops and restaurants, effective for one month. The move aims to conserve energy as global oil prices surge. Essential services will remain unaffected, but the tourism sector is exempt from these measures. Citizens are urged to adapt with alternative work-from-home arrangements for efficiency.
Shops, restaurants, and cafes in Egypt have been told to close early beginning Saturday as part of temporary measures to address swiftly rising energy prices driven by geopolitical tensions surrounding the Iran war.
Businesses will now close by 21:00 (19:00 GMT) for the next month. The Egyptian government has deemed these exceptional measures necessary, which include dimming street lights and reducing roadside advertising. Additionally, many employees will be encouraged to work from home one day a week starting in April.
Egypt has felt significant impacts from the ongoing conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil and gas. This situation has caused global oil prices to rise sharply, prompting fears of increasing costs for food, medicine, and other essential goods.
Despite not being involved in the war, Egypt's heavy reliance on imported fuel leaves it vulnerable to supply shocks, with the government reporting a petrol bill that doubled from January to March, totaling around $2.5 billion (£1.9 billion).
While hotels and tourist attractions are exempt from the new restrictions, several hotel chains are preparing for potential power cuts by acquiring generators to maintain operations for guests.
In the meantime, essential workers, such as those in healthcare and education, will not participate in the work-from-home policy. This essential measure aims to stabilize economic strain as energy costs rise amid ongoing international tensions.
