A high-level government committee in Egypt has recommended suspending the nine pm curfew for shops, malls, and restaurants during the week of Coptic Christians celebrations.
Egypt started austerity measures in March that includes closing shops and malls at nine pm to save power, after the US-Israeli conflict with Iran has led to a stark increase in fuel prices.
The recommendation will be presented to the Cabinet for a final decision.
The week of celebrations begins with Palm Sunday on April 5, and continues until Easter Sunday on April 12.
The recommendation came during an expanded meeting for Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly with the Central Crisis Management Committee at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
An important holiday week
This recommendation coincided with parliamentary and political demands to reconsider closing times during the period of Coptic Christian celebrations, given that the holidays involve intense commercial and social activities.
Several members of parliament called for striking a balance between regulating work and respecting the nature of religious occasions.
The proponents of the proposals pointed out that enforcing the current closing times could impact the ability of Coptic families to meet their needs and celebrate the occasions, especially given that events and rituals extend late into the night.
The government is expected to finalize its position on this recommendation during its upcoming meeting, after studying the various economic and social aspects of the decision.
Regional developments
The meeting also addressed regional developments related to the ongoing US-Israeli-Iranian conflict and its potential repercussions on various sectors within Egypt.
Several ministers and officials responsible for economic and service-related matters participated in the meeting, where the impact of the crisis regionally and internationally was reviewed.
The government’s efforts to manage the situation were also discussed, as part of a broader initiative led by the political leadership to contain the escalation and prevent its wider spread.
The meeting further reviewed the measures being implemented to rationalize energy consumption, as well as securing production inputs in vital sectors, particularly the pharmaceutical and food industries, to ensure continued operation and prevent market disruptions.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
