The recent conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran has prompted the Egyptian government to implement energy-saving measures that significantly affect daily life in Cairo. By imposing early closing hours for businesses such as cafes and shops, the government aims to manage rising oil costs while altering the city’s bustling nightlife.
CAIRO (AP) — The Egyptian government is seeking ways to conserve oil-powered electricity during the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, enacting at least one policy that threatens Cairo’s identity as a city that never sleeps.
The government imposed new nationwide closing times Saturday for stores, restaurants, and cafes, enforcing earlier shutdowns that impact their operations during key hours.
“It’s ruinous,” said Youssef Salah, a cafe owner in Cairo. “It deprives us from our peak time.”
The decision is part of a broader set of measures taken to mitigate the repercussions of the ongoing U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran, which has sent shockwaves through the Middle East and the global economy. While Egypt is not directly involved in the conflict, it faces significant challenges, such as rising oil prices and disrupted shipping routes.
‘We must protect people’s livelihoods’
The early closures will adversely affect hundreds of thousands of small businesses operating throughout the country, many of which, including eateries, juice shops, and cafes, traditionally remain open around the clock.
Salah noted that he had to reduce his workforce by 40%, impacting 35 employees in total.
The 46-year-old father of three used to keep his venue open 24 hours, with peak business occurring in the evenings. Now, he has been forced to eliminate late-night hours.
“It’s painful,” Salah expressed as he closed his shop doors at 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) on Saturday.
However, just two days after the new policy took effect, some Egyptians found ways to circumvent the order. Several cafes discreetly kept their doors closed while patrons remained inside, enjoying activities like shisha and games of chess or dominoes.
Critics took to social media to voice their dissent regarding the early closures.
“The Butterfly effect,” Mahmoud Elmamlouk, an editor at Cairo24, remarked on social media following the closure of cafes on Saturday night. “The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has deprived us of smoking shisha in Talbia,” he commented, referencing a working-class area in Greater Cairo.
Ayman Harbi, who works in a store in Downtown Cairo, criticized the government, arguing that a closing time of 9 p.m. puts immense pressure on businesses like his, which rely on nighttime clientele. “Our work in the summer usually starts after 8 p.m. (18:00 GMT),” he noted. “Forcing me to close at 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) makes the workday pointless.”
Magdy al-Deeb, another business owner, called for a reversal of the decision to help preserve jobs, especially in cafes and small businesses. “Where will all those people (workers) go?” he questioned. Smoking shisha at a cafe, he emphasized that society “must protect people’s livelihoods.”
This decision has also reshaped the lifestyle of Egyptians, who are accustomed to purchasing goods at any hour, particularly in bustling cities like Cairo and Alexandria. Observations from a nighttime tour in Cairo on Saturday and Sunday revealed typically vibrant streets transforming into quiet thoroughfares.
‘Exceptional’ measures
Shops, restaurants, malls, and cafes across the nation are mandated to close by 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) for one month. The government describes these measures as “exceptional,” which also involve dimming streetlights and roadside advertisements. Additionally, civil servants in the New Administrative Capital have been instructed to return to working from home one day a week in April.
Notably, tourist areas have been exempt from these energy-saving initiatives, given their significance in generating foreign currency for the economically struggling nation. Exemptions include popular Red Sea destinations like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as historical sites in Aswan and Luxor.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly stated these measures aim to reduce oil consumption, warning that doing otherwise could lead to further price increases.
Repercussions are particularly painful for Egypt
Since the war began on February 28, with massive airstrikes from the U.S. and Israel on Iran and retaliatory actions affecting oil infrastructures across the Persian Gulf, global energy prices have surged.
These increases are heavily impacting Egypt, a nation of over 108 million that spends $20 billion annually on oil products, including fuel for power plants.
Egypt imports 28% of its gasoline and 45% of its diesel, and Madbouly indicated that the country’s oil expenses more than doubled from January, reaching $2.5 billion.
Key Takeaways
- The Egyptian government has enacted early closing times for businesses to conserve energy.
- Small business owners express concern over job security and reduced income.
- Some Egyptians are finding ways to circumvent the early closing order.
- Tourism areas are exempt from these new restrictions to protect foreign currency earnings.
- The government’s early closing measures coincide with rising global oil prices due to ongoing conflicts.
FAQ
What time must businesses close under the new regulations?
Businesses are required to close by 9 p.m. (19:00 GMT) for a month.
Why were these measures introduced?
The government aims to reduce oil consumption amidst rising global energy prices due to conflicts.
Are tourist areas affected by the early closing times?
No, tourist areas have been exempted from the early closing requirements.
What happens to workers affected by these early closures?
Many small business owners are concerned about potential job losses for their workers due to reduced operational hours.
Is there any way for businesses to extend their hours?
Currently, the regulations mandate an early closing time with no public option for extension.
