The Labor Day holiday on May 1st, 2025, is set to significantly alter service operations across Santa Catarina, impacting transportation, commerce, education, and health services. As the holiday approaches, various cities are preparing for changes that will affect residents and visitors alike.
In Florianópolis, the adjustments begin on Thursday, May 1, and extend through Friday, May 2, which is designated as a discretionary day. On May 1, bars and restaurants in the city will operate from 10 AM to 5 PM, while fish markets will be open from 7 AM to 1 PM. However, general commerce will remain closed. The situation shifts on May 2, with bars and restaurants extending their hours to 10 PM, fish markets operating until 7 PM, and commerce resuming from 8 AM to 7 PM.
Public transportation in Florianópolis will follow a Sunday schedule on May 1, but will return to normal weekday operations on May 2. In terms of health services, health centers, polyclinics, and other facilities will be closed on both days. However, the 24-hour CAPS, UPAs, Espaço Acolher, and Alô Saúde will continue to function normally.
Emergency services, including the GMF and Civil Defense, will remain on-call, accessible via 153 and 199 respectively. Notably, there will be no trash collection on May 1, but normal operations will resume on May 2. Additionally, Tutelary Councils will operate on-call, while other social assistance services like CREAS and Centro POP will remain closed.
In Palhoça, services will change only on May 1, with the ViaCatarina Shopping closed for the holiday, although its food court will be open from 11 AM to 9 PM. Healthcare services, including the UPAs and SAMU, will operate normally, while schools in the municipal network will be closed. Trash collection will proceed as scheduled.
Biguaçu will see alterations in essential services over the holiday and the discretionary day. The UPA and SAMU will maintain 24-hour service, and the Hospital Regional de Biguaçu Helmuth Nass will conduct scheduled surgeries and consultations as planned. Trash collection will occur normally on both May 1 and 2, although recyclables and bulky waste will not be collected on May 1.
In São José, municipal public offices will close on May 1, with May 2 also declared a discretionary day, maintaining the same operational rules as the holiday. Transportation will run on a Sunday schedule for both days, and trash collection will occur as usual. Schools will remain closed.
Joinville will see varied operations during the holiday. The food courts and cinemas at the Garten, Mueller, and Cidade das Flores malls will be open from 10 AM to 10 PM, while retail stores will open from 2 PM to 8 PM on May 1, with street commerce closed. The Hospital Municipal São José will provide normal services for emergencies and hospitalizations, but administrative and specialty clinics will be closed. Other health facilities, including UPAs and SAMU, will operate normally, while family health units and various specialized clinics will be closed.
Schools and public libraries in Joinville will be closed, but self-service options for electronic requests at the city hall will be available 24/7. The Companhia Águas de Joinville will not provide in-person services on May 1 and 2, resuming operations on May 5. Trash collection will follow a normal schedule.
As the holiday weekend approaches, tourism is also expected to benefit from the extended break. The Circuito das Águas Paulista is anticipating high visitor numbers, with over 200,000 expected from May 1 to May 4. The region forecasts an 80% hotel occupancy rate, and a 20% increase in economic activity compared to a typical weekend.
Events are planned across the area, including the Festa das Nações in Serra Negra, the Morros Impossíveis event in Socorro, and the Festa do Trabalhador in Holambra. These festivities will not only attract tourists but also encourage longer stays, allowing visitors to explore multiple destinations within the Circuito das Águas Paulista.
According to Caio Salgado, manager of the Consórcio Circuito das Águas Paulista (CICAP), "Extended holidays not only bring in more tourists but also lengthen their stays, enabling them to experience the diverse offerings of the region." With over 300 accommodation options and more than 500 dining establishments, the area is well-prepared for the influx of visitors.
Located strategically just 120 km from São Paulo, and close to major cities and international airports, the Circuito das Águas Paulista is set to thrive this holiday season. As communities across Santa Catarina adapt to the holiday changes, residents and tourists alike are encouraged to plan accordingly and enjoy the festivities.