The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has decided to close all shops and shopping malls by 8pm across the country to support the government’s ongoing efforts to conserve electricity and fuel amid a global energy crisis.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the statement, the decision was taken at a joint meeting of the standing committees of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners Association.

The measure will apply to all shops, commercial establishments and shopping malls nationwide, including in the capital.

However, hotels, pharmacies, essential service outlets and kitchen markets will remain outside the purview of this directive, the association said.