00:05Shops and restaurants are closing down at 9 p.m., nearly four hours earlier than usual.
00:11They're abiding by the newly imposed government curfew.
00:17We accept these measures because we know it's important for the country.
00:21We'll just have to adapt by giving some of our workers a break and rescheduling shifts,
00:26then wait and see what happens.
00:27Egypt, known for its bustling streets and vibrant nightlife, is turning dark.
00:33Even billboards and public lights are being switched off.
00:36Only popular tourist destinations like Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada on the Red Sea have been exempted.
00:44The latest conflict in the Middle East has led to a shortage in natural gas supplies globally, including Egypt.
00:51This, coupled with energy price hikes,
00:53have made it difficult for Egypt to import gas for electricity generation.
00:58Most of Egypt's power stations are run by natural gas.
01:02The government says the energy import bill had jumped from $1.2 billion in January to above $2.1 billion
01:09in mid-March,
01:10forcing it to take several measures to regulate electricity consumption and avoid power cuts.
01:16But the early closure of all commercial, sports and entertainment activities has been controversial.
01:23In spite of the economic benefits outlined by the government in such critical times,
01:28a wide segment of the population has actually criticized this decision.
01:32Most Egyptians are accustomed to spending their free time in the evening, when the weather cools down.
01:41It's part of our culture, finish work.
01:43Have a rest, and then go out shopping or meet friends till late at night.
01:48We can't be constrained.
01:50I'll be having fights at home now.
01:51The evening hours represent a significant portion of economic activity in Egypt.
01:58So businesses, especially in retail and hospitality industries,
02:02have complained of potential losses due to early closure times.
02:06When you reduce operating hours, it leads to a significant drop in revenue and even GDP,
02:15a drop in pay for workers and a drop in the purchasing power of Egyptians.
02:20But it's a habit.
02:21Most Egyptians have to readjust their habits to be like many countries that normally close early.
02:27It will take time, however.
02:30But the government doesn't have the luxury of time.
02:33Responding to the public backlash,
02:35officials announced the early shop closure move is on a trial basis to be reassessed in May.
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