Madbouly’s decision includes employees in ministries, government institutions, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies and public business sector companies.

Both holidays are celebrated each year on 25 January.

The anniversary of the January Revolution of 2011 marks the ousting of late President Hosni Mubarak.

Police Day commemorates resistance by Egyptian police to British occupation forces in Ismailia on the date in 1952.

This year, employees will take Thursday off instead of Tuesday, as per a decision by the premier in June 2020 to make Thursday a day off instead of any week-day holiday to "give citizens a chance to have a long weekend."

This does not apply on Eid Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha, which last for several days, or on Christmas.