Egypt is introducing new restrictions on cafes, shops and shopping centers due to the energy crisis. The changes are already affecting the usual rhythm of life and tourist experience. Learn more about the new rules and what they mean for travelers

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Egypt is switching to a power saving mode amid a sharp rise in fuel import costs. According to Bloomberg, the government has already announced new restrictions that will change the working hours of businesses and urban infrastructure.

The decision was a response to the rapid rise in energy prices caused by the unstable situation in the region. For tourists, this means a change in the usual rhythm of recreation, especially in the evening, when life in Egyptian cities has traditionally been most active.

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New rules for cafes, shops and institutions

The Egyptian government has officially introduced new restrictions on business hours as part of a nationwide energy saving program. The changes apply to both tourist areas and large cities where nightlife has traditionally been active until late at night.

According to the decision of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, clear time limits are set for different categories of establishments.

On weekdays, shops, shopping centers and cafes will now be open only until 21:00. On weekends, the schedule is slightly extended to 22:00, but this is still much earlier than the usual regime in the country.

Certain restrictions apply to government agencies: they will close until 18:00, which may also affect administrative processes, including tourist services.

For Egypt, where evening walks, shopping and dining are an important part of the culture, such changes are quite significant. Tourists should take the new schedule into account when planning their evening leisure activities, as the usual “nightlife” format may be significantly limited.

In our previous article, we told you that experts predict a 30% drop in tourist traffic in the Middle East.

Additional restrictions: lights, advertising, and a new work format

In addition to reducing business hours, the Egyptian government is introducing a number of additional measures aimed at reducing electricity consumption. These changes are less obvious, but they will also affect the general atmosphere of cities and everyday life.

First of all, it is about limiting outdoor lighting. The country plans to turn off the backlighting of advertising billboards and reduce the intensity of street lighting. This means that in the evening, cities may look less bright than usual.

The authorities are also considering a partial transition to a remote work format. Some government agencies and companies are expected to work remotely 1-2 days a week to reduce energy consumption further.

Taken together, these measures are shaping a new way of life in the country, where the emphasis is shifting from an active nightlife to a more restrained and resource-saving format. For tourists, this means not only a change in schedules, but also a different perception of Egypt in the evening - calmer and less illuminated.

Earlier, we told you that airfares to Asia have risen sharply due to the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.

Why Egypt is imposing restrictions: energy crisis and rising prices

The reason for the new restrictions was the sharp energy crisis Egypt faced due to the rise in the price of imported fuel. The country is heavily dependent on external gas supplies, and the instability in the region has had a significant impact on prices.

In recent months, the cost of energy imports has almost tripled, from about $560 million a month to $1.65 billion. This jump has put a serious strain on the state budget and forced the government to look for quick solutions to save money.

An additional factor was the general instability in the global energy markets due to the tense situation in the Persian Gulf region. This has led to fluctuations in gas and oil prices, which have been particularly painful for importing countries.

In such circumstances, the Egyptian authorities chose to quickly reduce electricity consumption. That is why the restrictions affected not only businesses but also urban infrastructure and the public sector.

What it means for tourists in Egypt

The new restrictions will have a direct impact on the tourist experience, especially for those accustomed to the active evening life in Egyptian resorts. Although the tourist infrastructure continues to operate, the format of recreation may change.

First of all, you should take into account the reduced working hours of cafes, restaurants and shops. Evening shopping or late dinners now need to be planned in advance, as most establishments will close much earlier than before.

Tourists may also notice a change in the atmosphere of cities at night. Due to lighting restrictions, streets and popular tourist areas may be less bright, which affects the overall perception of nightlife.

In addition, in some cases, there may be changes in the operation of services, from excursions to transfers or the schedule of entertainment programs in hotels. Although resorts are likely to try to adapt to the new conditions, tourists should be prepared for a more relaxed vacation format.