The Government will grant time off on February 21, Carnival Tuesday, to workers who carry out public functions in the State, according to an order already signed by the Prime Minister.
«Point tolerance is granted to workers who perform public functions in the services of the direct administration of the State, whether central or deconcentrated, and in public institutes, on February 21st», reads in the order, which the Lusa agency had access.
The prime minister argues that, "although Carnival Tuesday is not on the list of mandatory holidays stipulated by law, there is a consolidated tradition in Portugal of organizing parties during this period".
According to the order signed by António Costa, exceptions are made to “services and bodies that, for reasons of public interest, must remain in operation during that period, in terms to be defined by the competent member of the Government”.
«Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of the service to be provided, the top managers of the services and bodies referred to in the previous number must promote the equivalent waiver of the duty of attendance of the respective workers, on a day to be set in due course», refers in the document.
Since António Costa took office as prime minister, in November 2015, the only time he has not signed the time off order on Carnival Tuesday was two years ago, as the country is in general confinement due to the pandemic. .
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