Shops, malls to close at 7pm instead of 6pm

The government has allowed shops and shopping malls across the country to remain open until 7 pm extending the previous closing time of 6pm.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced the decision while taking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday. On April 2, the Cabinet decided to close all shops and shopping malls nationwide by 6 pm in view of the fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

However, leaders of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association requested Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to reconsider the decision and allow businesses to operate until 8 pm.

The association also proposed opening hours to start at 11 am instead of 9 am.

During the briefing, the state minister said, "The Shop Owners Association submitted a request to allow them to keep their shops open at least until 7 pm. Although the Cabinet initially decided on a 6 pm closure, the Prime Minister reviewed the request and approved the extension until 7 pm. Emergency service providers will remain exempt from this schedule."

He also urged all to save electricity at home and at work. "If we adopt energy-saving practices, Inshallah, we will be better equipped as a nation to face future challenges."    �"UNB