New rules on operating hours regs come into effect today — and shops face closure if they don’t comply. Under new wintertime hours, retail outlets will need to close at 10pm and restaurants at midnight on weekdays. Both can stay open an extra hour on weekends and holidays.

Who’s exempt? Gas stations and restaurants that do takeaway and home delivery services, can stay open 24/7, a spokesman for the Local Development Ministry said. Grocery stores, supermarkets and pharmacies can also set their own hours.

Penalties, penalties, penalties: Local Development Ministry spokesperson Khaled Kassem was on the airwaves last night (watch, runtime: 16:11) with a warning for businesses that don’t comply, saying authorities will order the premises closed for a month if owners don’t start obeying the rule within 15 days of receiving a written warning. Failing to comply after that, and you can say goodbye to your license.

Summer hours run from the last friday in April until the last Thursday of September. Today is the first day that the summer / winter split goes into effect.

Need a refresher on the rules? Check this out.