This New Year’s Day, residents of Campo Grande and Belém are adjusting to altered business hours as they welcome 2024. With various local establishments closed or operating under limited schedules, it’s important for shoppers and citizens to stay informed about how these changes may affect their plans.
According to recent reports, on January 1st, supermarkets across both cities will remain closed. This decision aligns with regulations put forth by the Associação Sul-Mato-Grossense de Supermercados (AMAS), which mandates closures for January 1st, allowing employees to observe the holiday.
Shops and other retail locations will also close their doors on New Year’s Day, leaving many without options for shopping. Most physical stores are expected to remain shuttered, with consumers advised to plan their purchases accordingly to avoid disappointment.
Shopping malls, usually buzzing with activity, will have limits on their operations. For example, Campo Grande’s Shopping will be open from 10 AM to 10 PM, but only the food and leisure areas will accommodate customers during this day. Shopping Pátio Central, meanwhile, will completely shut its doors, and only select services at Shopping Norte Sul Plaza and Shopping Bosque dos Ipês will operate with their food courts open from late morning to evening.
To add to the holiday accessibility challenges, banking services will not be available as banks will remain closed on both December 31st and January 1st. This means no financial transactions or banking needs can be addressed until January 2nd when regular hours resume.
Public services also see significant alterations, with many municipal operations halting for the public holiday. Health facilities such as the Unidades de Pronto Atendimento (UPA) will operate during the holiday, but regular pharmacies and other local medical services like the Casa da Saúde will be closed. Residents may find this particularly inconvenient, especially for those requiring medication or healthcare support.
Local authorities are managing security services as well, with select police stations remaining operational. Four units including the Depac (Delegacia de Pronto Atendimento Comunitário) will serve the public during the holiday, ensuring support and safety for citizens.
Community leaders and business representatives highlight the significance of these closures and regulated hours, asserting the need for everyone to understand and adapt to the situation as they celebrate the start of the new year. "Os supermercados estão fechados neste dia 1° devido à normativa da Associação Sul-Mato-Grossense de Supermercados (AMAS)," confirmed local news. Residents are encouraged to gather the necessary supplies before the holiday rush to avoid any frustration.
To guide consumers through the upcoming holidays, many local entities released communications on expected service hours, reminding everyone about the closures. These reminders serve to protect residents from the common error of forgetting to shop or sort out services before the extended holiday break.
For those still wanting to shop on New Year's Day, some malls will allow access to their food courts and entertainment areas. Shopping directives indicate both the Shopping Norte Sul Plaza and Shopping Bosque dos Ipês will maintain their food and leisure areas open, but with limited offerings only.
Residents are also reminded about the waste collection schedule, which will not operate on January 1st, meaning waste management may be disrupted on the holiday.
Though the city pauses for New Year’s celebrations, residents are encouraged to plan accordingly and keep informed on the accessibility of necessary services during the transition to 2024. It’s important to remain aware of operational changes, keeping this holiday spirit alive without facing unexpected inconveniences.