The President has declared Thursday, January 2, a public holiday, extending the New Year's break to four days.

In a statement issued today, the President's Office announced that the declaration of January 2 as a public holiday aims to ensure employees receive uninterrupted leave.

With the new year starting on a Wednesday, government employees would have had to work the following Thursday.

However, with the declaration of Thursday as a holiday, government offices will be closed on both Wednesday, January 1, and Thursday, January 2, and will re-open on Sunday, January 5.