Skopje, 4 January 2024 (MIA) – The Government decided Thursday to withdraw its previous recommendation that grocery stores, vendors and kiosks should be open during the Orthodox Christmas holidays on Jan. 7–8.

At the proposal of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the Government decided that Jan. 7 (Sunday) and Jan. 8 (Monday) would remain non-business days, in line with the Law on Holidays.

The initial recommendation was that during the New Year and Christmas holidays — on Dec. 31, 2023, and on Jan. 1, 7 and 8, 2024 — grocery stores, vendors and kiosks should remain open, as proposed by the Ministry of Economy.

The aim was to meet shoppers' needs during the holidays, especially those in smaller towns and places without shopping malls. ssh/mr