Egypt has ordered shops, restaurants and shopping malls to close from 9pm from Saturday, hoping to curb energy bills that have more than doubled because of the Iran war, AFP reports.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has announced the curfew and says it will last for a month initially.

“Shops, shopping centres, restaurants and cafes will all close at 9pm on weekdays,” he said, adding that on Thursdays and Fridays at the weekend they will be allowed to stay open until 10pm.

The premier adds that before the war, Egypt’s monthly energy bill was $560 million. Today, for the same quantity, Egypt is paying $1.65 billion.

Madbouly says Cairo must work on the “worst-case scenario” in the face of a war whose outcome is unpredictable.

Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy said the new restrictions “will not affect tourists” or flagship destinations, according to a statement from his office.