Egypt's Local development minister directs action to enforce winter closure times

CAIRO, Dec 1 (MENA) – Local Development Minister Mahmoud Shaarawy has directed governors to act to ensure stores abide by new rules of closure during winter.

New closure times should be heeded by all stores, restaurants and malls, Shaarawy said Tuesday, urging governors to take legal action against violators.

The new opening and closure times should by applied as of today, he stressed.

City halls should coordinate action with police directorates to make sure stores close on time, the minister said, adding that unannounced campaigns will be conducted to enforce law.

The ministerial decision is meant to protect citizens’ lives against the spread of coronavirus, he noted.

Shaarawy called on store owners to stick to the new opening and closure times to avoid sanctions.

The decision, he added, is also meant to eliminate chaos and reduce traffic in some areas.

Once applied, the new closure times will help save much of the consumed energy and will allow cleaning companies to remove wastes and garbage from the streets, the minister made it clear.

Shaarawy expected citizens to cooperate with the government to maintain their security, as well as state resources.