Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and
Environment and Chair of the Supreme Committee for Public Establishments
Licensing, announced revised closing hours for shops, restaurants and cafés
during the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, as an exception
to the operating hours stipulated under the committee’s Decision No. 456 of
2020.
Awad stated that the decision aims to provide an
appropriate atmosphere for citizens during Ramadan while maintaining a balance
between economic activity and public order.
Under the new regulations, shops and shopping centers,
as well as restaurants, cafés and bazaars, will close daily at 2:00am
throughout Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr holiday. However, takeaway and home delivery
services for restaurants and cafés will continue 24 hours a day.
Workshops located within residential areas must close
at 10:00pm daily, except for those situated on main roads or at petrol
stations, which are exempt from this restriction.
The Minister clarified that essential service-related
activities are excluded from the specified hours. These include grocery shops,
supermarkets and bakeries. Consideration will also be given to the nature of
night-time operations for outlets such as fruit and vegetable stores, poultry
shops, wholesale markets and pharmacies, to ensure uninterrupted access to
basic goods and services.
Awad confirmed that the decision will take effect from
next Wednesday and remain in force until the end of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.
She directed executive bodies across governorates to
closely monitor implementation of the new operating hours, maintain
coordination with relevant authorities and instruct district, town and neighborhood
heads to activate monitoring committees. These committees will conduct
inspection campaigns to ensure compliance among commercial establishments and
take legal action against any violations.
Source: Daily News Egypt