As Easter approaches, various regions are preparing for the holiday with changes to work schedules, transportation, and local regulations. In Portugal, public sector workers are set to enjoy an extended Easter break following a government order signed by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. According to The Portugal News, this order allows public employees to leave early on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, effectively combining this time off with the national public holiday of Good Friday on April 18. The government justifies this decision by citing travel patterns during the Easter period, noting that many families traditionally travel away from their homes during this time.
However, the additional leave does not apply universally. Essential services such as emergency responders and healthcare institutions will remain operational, and top managers of these services are required to ensure that staff who cannot take the Thursday afternoon off are granted equivalent time off on a different day. This measure, while beneficial for many, raises questions about whether similar flexibility should be extended to the private sector.
In Westmount, Canada, the City’s administrative offices will also be closed on Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21, 2025, for the Easter holiday. The Westmount Public Library and Conservatory will close on Friday, Sunday, and Monday, while Victoria Hall will remain closed throughout the holiday weekend. However, household waste and food waste collection will continue as per the usual schedule, ensuring that residents do not face disruptions in their waste management services.
Meanwhile, in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, commerce will operate under specific regulations during the Easter holiday. The official holiday days are Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, 2025. Stores in Ciudad del Este will open normally on Thursday with many extending their hours, but large establishments will be required to close on Good Friday. The region anticipates a surge in tourism, with hotels in nearby Puerto Iguazú projecting occupancy rates above 90%, driven by visitors from Brazil and Argentina. The Good Host campaign, launched by the National Secretariat of Tourism, will feature Paraguayan dance performances and traditional dishes at the Friendship Bridge from April 16 to April 20.
In Laredo, Texas, residents are reminded of changes to the trash and recycling pickup schedule due to the Easter holiday. City offices will close on Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21, with no lawn clipping or branch pickup on those days. However, citywide recycling is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, while trash collection will follow the normal schedule throughout the week. Sylvia Garza, Recycling Program Supervisor, emphasized the importance of residents putting out their bins the night before pickup to avoid missing collection.
In Papua New Guinea, the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) has announced a liquor restriction during the Easter holiday, which will be enforced on Good Friday, April 18, and Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. The restriction applies to various licensed premises, including taverns and public bars, but restaurants and clubs will be exempt under specific conditions. The NCDC has called for public cooperation to maintain peace and order during this period, with surveillance operations planned to enforce the ban.
Across the UK, travel chaos is expected as many schools finished for the Easter holidays on April 4, with most planning breaks until Easter Monday, April 21. The RAC predicts that Thursday, April 17, will be the busiest day for motorists, with nearly 20 million vehicles expected on the roads. Congestion is anticipated on major routes, including the M25 and M6, with delays likely on the M5 for those returning from the West Country on Easter Monday.
Rail travel will also be heavily impacted by planned engineering work during the holiday weekend, leading to significant disruptions, especially on the West Coast main line. Passengers are advised to check their travel plans in advance, as many services will be reduced or rerouted. Air travel is facing its own challenges, with air traffic control centers across Europe suffering from staff shortages, leading to the worst disruptions seen in a quarter-century. EasyJet, Britain's largest budget airline, is preparing for its busiest day on Good Friday, with over 1,100 flights scheduled.
With all these changes and challenges, travelers and residents alike are urged to plan ahead and stay informed about local regulations and schedules. As the Easter holiday approaches, communities across the globe are preparing for a mix of celebration and logistical hurdles, making it essential for everyone to remain aware of their local circumstances.
