“Given the significance of Holy Week in the Catholic tradition of the Madeiran people and with Good Friday being a national holiday, it was decided to establish a public holiday on Holy Thursday [April 6] and Holy Saturday [April 8],” the executive said in a statement.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the Regional Government Council, led by social democrat Miguel Albuquerque, which took place in Funchal. The day off includes services, institutes and companies under the supervision of the Regional Government.

“The services of the autonomous regional public administration, which, by their nature, are of uninterrupted operation, as well as those which, for reasons of public interest, have to operate on the day(s) identified above, must create the necessary conditions so that their employees can enjoy the tolerance now granted at a later time, having obtained the agreement of their respective hierarchical superiors”, explains the executive.