Egypt Imposes Night Curfew on Businesses Amid Global Energy Crisis

Cairo. Amid the ongoing war in West Asia and the near-stoppage of the Strait of Hormuz, a global energy shortage and price hike have been observed. Consequently, the Egyptian government has ordered shops, restaurants, and cafes to close by 9 PM. This measure will be effective for the next month starting Saturday.

The special measures implemented by the government also include reducing street lighting and advertising lights, as well as a work-from-home arrangement one day a week in April. Hotels and tourist sites are exempt from these restrictions, as tourism accounts for nearly 10 percent of Egypt's economy.

According to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, petrol expenditure alone reached $2.5 billion from January to March, more than double the previous period. Egypt, which relies on importing fuel from abroad, has become vulnerable to supply crises. Meanwhile, some hotels, including the Marriott Hotel and the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Cairo, have installed generators and plan to keep their restaurants open for guests.

Separately, general employees in Egypt have been asked to work from home one day a week. However, essential staff working in hospitals, schools, and factories are excluded from this plan.

International shipping has been largely halted after Iran threatened to attack vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Typically, about 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supply passes through this route.

Thailand has also secured safe passage for its oil tankers by reaching an agreement with Iran. The government has increased petrol prices and raised public transport fares to mitigate the impact of this crisis.