Govt declares Dec 26, Jan 2 holidays

—–Government has declared December 26, 2014 and January 2, 2015, as public holidays.

According to a media statement issued by Secretary to the Cabinet, Roland Msiska, the declaration of the two public holidays was in recognition of the fact that Christmas Day and New Year ’s Day will fall on Thursday, December25 2014 while New year will fall on Thursday, January 1, 2015.

Dr Msiska stated that productivity is expected to be at its lowest after the celebrations of Christmas and New Year hence the declaration of the two public holidays.

However, the Secretary to Cabinet said institutions providing essential services will be expected to make necessary arrangements so as to ensure that the provision of services is not disrupted.

Dr Msiska stated that in exercise of the powers contained in Section three of the Public Holidays Act Cap 272, the acting President, Guy Scott, through Statutory Instrument No 66 of 2014 declared Friday December 26^, 2014 and Friday January 2^, 2015 be observed as public holidays.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Cabinet has announced that 24^th and 31^st December 2014 will be full working days and not half working days for the public service as the trend has been in the previous years.