Government allows tolerance for Carnival Tuesday

The government will grant leave on February 13, Carnival Tuesday, to workers performing public functions in public services, according to a decree signed by Prime Minister António Costa.

“From February 13, 2024, employees performing public functions in the services of the direct administration of the state, whether central or deconcentrated, as well as in public institutions, are granted time-based clearance,” reads the order, which Lusa had access to.

In this order, as in previous years, the Prime Minister once again emphasizes that “although Carnival Tuesday is not included in the list of obligatory holidays provided for by law, there is a well-established tradition in Portugal of organizing parties during this period.”

Of the 13 February tolerance period, “exceptions are provided to services and organizations which, for reasons of public interest, must continue to operate during this period under conditions to be determined by the competent member of the government.”

“Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of the services provided, senior managers of the services and bodies referred to in the previous paragraph shall facilitate an equivalent exemption from the duty of attendance of their respective employees on a date to be determined.” over time,” the diploma adds.

Since António Costa took office as Prime Minister in November 2015, the only time he did not sign a decree on daytime tolerance on Carnival Tuesday was three years ago, as the country was under a general lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. 19.

Portugal was under a state of emergency in February 2021, with a general obligation to gather and a resulting ban on public celebrations, as well as the closure of a wide range of activities to curb the spread of the disease.