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Shops, markets and shopping malls across Bangladesh must close at 8pm from Friday, as a special extension allowing them to remain open until 10pm during Durga Puja has expired.
Under the previous schedule, commercial establishments were allowed to operate from 11am to 8pm. The end of the temporary exemption means businesses must now close two hours earlier than during the festival period.
The Power Division had extended the closing time until October 22 to facilitate businesses during Durga Puja. The decision was taken on October 5 as part of temporary arrangements for the festival.
The government has revised shop-closing hours several times this year to conserve electricity and maintain discipline in power management.
In early April 2026, amid an energy crisis, the government ordered shops and shopping malls to close by 6pm. Following demands from business owners, the deadline was later extended to 7pm.
Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, businesses were temporarily allowed to remain open until 10pm from May 12. In June, the closing time was set at 9pm before being brought forward to 8pm on August 12 as part of efforts to save electricity.
The 11am-to-8pm schedule remained in effect until the temporary extension for Durga Puja. With that exemption now over, the previous closing hours have been reinstated.
