Egypt has introduced temporary early closing times for restaurants, cafes and retail outlets as it seeks to manage rising energy costs linked to the Iran war, Gulf News reported.
Under the new directive, restaurants and other shops are required to shut by 9pm local time every day for the next month. Closing is extended to 10pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
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The rules came into force on 28 March 2026 as part of a wider push to reduce domestic energy use.
Officials will assess the measures’ impact on energy consumption and market activity after one month before deciding whether to extend or withdraw the restrictions.
Breaching the new rules could trigger fines of up to E£20,000 ($376) under the Shops Law No. 154 of 2019, the publication added, with repeat offenders facing administrative closure or licence withdrawal.
Additionally, the authorities may impose additional sanctions under emergency regulations, including fines of E£300-E£4,000 ($5.6-$75) and possible jail terms for failing to comply with exceptional measures.
Essential services such as healthcare, groceries, bakeries and industrial facilities are exempted from the decision.
Egypt has been particularly exposed to the fallout from the Middle East conflict and the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Although the country is not involved in the conflict, its reliance on imported fuel has left it vulnerable to supply interruptions and price surges.
Several hotels in Cairo, including the Marriott and Cosmopolitan, told French broadcaster RFI that they had acquired generators in the event of power cuts and would keep their restaurants open for guests.
The Iran war also affected restaurant operations in India, with hotel and restaurant associations in major cities reporting tightening supplies of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
