Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment and Chair of the Supreme Committee for Public Establishments Licensing, announced revised closing hours for shops, restaurants, and cafés during Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, as an exception to Decision No. 456 of 2020. The decision aims to provide an appropriate atmosphere for citizens while balancing economic activity and public order. It will take effect from next Wednesday until the end of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.
Manal Awad announced the new regulations, which set the daily closing time for shops, shopping centers, restaurants, cafés, and bazaars at 2:00am throughout Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Takeaway and home delivery services for restaurants and cafés will operate 24 hours a day.
Workshops in residential areas must close at 10:00pm daily, with exemptions for those on main roads or at petrol stations.
Essential services such as grocery shops, supermarkets, and bakeries are excluded from these hours. The nature of nighttime operations for outlets like fruit and vegetable stores, poultry shops, wholesale markets, and pharmacies will be considered to ensure uninterrupted access to basic goods and services.
Awad directed executive bodies across governorates to monitor implementation closely, coordinate with relevant authorities, and activate monitoring committees in districts, towns, and neighborhoods. These committees will conduct inspection campaigns to ensure compliance and take legal action against violations.
Awad stated that the decision aims to provide an appropriate atmosphere for citizens during Ramadan while maintaining a balance between economic activity and public order.
