The decision applies to ministries, governmental bodies, public facilities, municipalities, public enterprises, and public business sector companies.

Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan is also expected to make the same announcement for private sector employees soon.

Additionally, students in universities and schools usually get a day off as well to celebrate the occasion.

Egypt will celebrate on 6 October the 48th anniversary of its victory against Israel under the leadership of late president Anwar El-Sadat.

Last year, the government decided to make Thursday a day off whenever a public holiday falls on a weekday to “give citizens a chance to have a long weekend.”

This applies to all national holidays except for Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and Coptic Christmas.

Egyptians this month are also set to have a paid day off on Thursday 21 October, instead of 19 October, to celebrate the advent of ‘Moulid Al-Nabi’, or Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.