The public administration ministry issued a gazette on Thursday declaring a seven-day holiday from May 25 to May 31 on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals for Muslims.

Eid-ul-Azha is expected to be celebrated in the country on May 28, subject to the sighting of the moon.

According to Thursday’s notification, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices across the country will remain closed during the period.

To compensate for the extended break, offices will remain open on Saturday (May 23), despite it being a weekly holiday, the notification said.

Emergency services, however, will remain outside the scope of the holiday, it added.

Essential services, including electricity, water, gas and fuel supply, fire service operations, port activities, cleaning services, telephone and internet services, postal services and transport services linked to these sectors, will continue operations during the Eid holidays, it said.

Hospitals and emergency healthcare services will also remain operational, while doctors, healthcare workers and vehicles carrying medicines and medical equipment will remain out of the purview of the closure.

The Bangladesh Bank will issue separate instructions regarding banking operations, while the Supreme Court of Bangladesh will provide directives concerning court activities during the Eid holidays.

The labour and employment ministry will issue separate instructions for private industrial establishments and factories in line with the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006.