As is customary, Portuguese civil servants will once again be granted time off on Carnival day, next Tuesday, February 17.
The government formalized this measure today (Wednesday, February 11) through an order granting time off to workers who perform public functions in the direct administration of the state and in public institutions.
Despite the rain, Carnival celebrations will take place in Lisbon
The decision, which has already become an established practice in public administration, aims to allow civil servants and their families to participate in the festivities that mark this season from north to south of the country, although in many of the places known for these festivities , the celebrations have already been canceled, limited, or postponed, as is the case in Torres Vedras (postponed), Vila Nova de Poiares (canceled), Caldas da Rainha (canceled), Buarcos (postponed), Nazaré (taking place with some limitations), and Loures (taking place), to name just a few of the best known in the country.
Exceptions
Also, as always, and especially at this time, when we are experiencing a series of abnormal storms in the country, not all public services will be closed, especially essential services in sectors such asemergency health, security forces, and certain public transportation, which will maintain their usual service schedules, ensuring that the country does not come to a complete standstill during the celebrations.