In the document, the government cites the tradition of people travelling from their place of residence to attend family gatherings on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as well as practice “over the years” as the basis for the decision.

It also recalls the "existing tradition of granting exceptional leave at this time to non-essential public services."

The order applies to workers “who perform public functions in the services of the direct state administration, whether central or decentralised, and in public institutes, on 24 and 31 December of 2018," the order reads.

However, it makes an exception of "services and bodies that, for reasons of public interest, should remain in operation during that period, on terms to be defined by the relevant member of the government." In such cases, managers should ensure that employees are given equivalent leave on other days.