Egypt implements winter operating hours for shops, restaurants as of Friday

CAIRO - 25 September 2025: Egyptian Minister of Local Development, Acting Minister of Environment, and Chair of the Supreme Committee for Public Establishments Licensing, Dr. Manal Awad, announced Thursday the start of winter working hours for shops, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, workshops, and craft businesses.

The new schedule takes effect on Friday, September 26, 2025, across all governorates, in line with Article 6 of Ministerial Decision No. 456 of 2020 regulating opening and closing times, and coinciding with the start of winter time.

Dr. Awad stressed that the decision reflects the state’s commitment to balancing citizens’ daily needs with the regulation of services and the preservation of resources and public facilities. She added that the measures are designed to ensure order, discipline, and the smooth functioning of daily life across Egyptian cities.

Under the new schedule, shops and malls will operate daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., extending until 11:00 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and public holidays. Restaurants, cafes, and bazaars will open from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, with closing extended to 1:00 a.m. on holidays. Delivery and takeaway services will continue around the clock.

Workshops and craft businesses located within residential areas will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for those on roads, at gas stations, or tied to urgent services. Grocery stores, supermarkets, bakeries, and other essential outlets such as fruit and vegetable shops, poultry shops, wholesale markets, and pharmacies are exempt from closure requirements.

Dr. Awad underscored the need for strict enforcement, directing governorates’ executive bodies to coordinate with security directorates and local councils to intensify monitoring. Follow-up committees will be tasked with conducting inspections to ensure compliance.

She further noted that the Ministry’s operations room will coordinate with governorate operations rooms to oversee the implementation of the winter schedule, in line with the ministerial decision aimed at safeguarding public health and safety. Dr. Awad urged business owners to adhere to the new hours to avoid legal penalties.