Egypt ends 11 p.m. curfew on shops, restaurants

Egypt suspended an order requiring shops, malls, and restaurants to close at 11 p.m. (08:00 GMT), allowing businesses to resume normal hours as authorities reassess measures tied to regional tensions.

The decision was approved on Sunday by the Central Crisis Management Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, according to a Cabinet statement.

Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsany said the committee agreed to scrap the earlier directive and reinstate standard trading hours.

The meeting also reviewed regional military developments involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, and their potential economic impact globally and at home.

Madbouly said the government is preparing multiple contingency scenarios depending on the conflict’s duration and scope, while continuing efforts to secure strategic reserves of key commodities, including fuel, in line with presidential directives.

He stressed the need to maintain market stability through tighter oversight to prevent disruptions, ensure supply, and contain price volatility.

The officials also discussed measures to curb electricity and fuel use, alongside efforts to rein in public spending amid external pressures from the crisis.

During the meeting, Planning Minister Ahmed Rostom presented updated projections for global growth and inflation, warning of slowing trade and weaker regional momentum.

According to the outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects global growth to ease to 3.1 per cent in 2026 from 3.4 per cent in 2025.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English