Egypt extended operating hours of cafes and restaurants until midnight allowing them to operate at 50 percent capacity from July 26, according to a statement by the government.
The operating hours of stores, including malls, were also extended until 10 pm.
The move is an attempt by the government to kick-start the economy which has been adversely affected by measures implemented to control the spread of the coronavirus. Such measures, like the lockdown, have crippled tourism and other important sectors.
Restaurants, along with theatres, were closed in mid-March after the Egyptian government imposed a raft of lockdown measures, among them a curfew and bans on large public gatherings.
During the holy fasting month of Ramadan the government allowed more businesses to reopen and also shortened a night-time curfew
However, last month, the government lifted the restrictions with the Local Development Ministry approving conditions and guidelines for the reopening of restaurants and cafes.
Restaurants were allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity until 10 pm every day of the week until further notice. Restaurants were also obliged to maintain social distancing and several other regulations.
