Egypt has instructed shops, restaurants and cafés to close earlier than usual as part of temporary measures to tackle rising energy costs driven by the ongoing Iran war.

Under the directive, retail outlets and dining establishments must shut by 9:00pm local time each day for a month starting Saturday officials said.

The government described the move as “exceptional measures” aimed at easing pressure on energy consumption. Additional steps include dimming street lighting and billboard advertisements, as well as introducing one day of remote work per week in April for many employees.

Egypt has been significantly affected by the Middle East conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The country’s dependence on imported fuel has made it particularly vulnerable to supply shocks.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Saturday that Egypt’s fuel import bill had surged to $2.5 billion in March, more than double the figure recorded in January.

Hotels and tourist attractions will be exempt from the restrictions, as tourism accounts for roughly 10 percent of the country’s economy. However, some hotels have procured generators to cope with possible power outages and will keep their restaurants open for guests.

Essential services, including hospitals, schools and factories, will also remain outside the scope of the work-from-home directive.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled following Iranian threats targeting vessels, disrupting a route that typically carries around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply.

In response to the crisis, Egypt has already increased fuel prices and public transport fares. The government is also slowing down large energy-intensive projects and cutting fuel allocations for state vehicles to manage public spending.

Source BBC