The decision applies to employees at ministries, government institutions, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies and public business sector companies, according to Prime Minister Madbouly.

End-of-year exams at schools and universities will be administered as previously scheduled, added Madbouly.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour is expected to issue a statement shortly to announce the duration of the break for private sector employees.

Time to celebrate
 

Muslims are set to celebrate the four-day Islamic Eid El-Adha starting Wednesday 28 June.

Eid Al-Adha commences on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijja, which is the last month on the lunar calendar.

On Sunday, Egypt’s Dar Al-Iftaa, the authority tasked with issuing religious edicts, announced that 28 June would be the first day of Eid Al-Adha after sighting of the moon after Maghreb prayers, which signalled that 19 June was the first day in the month of Dhul-Hijja.

On Tuesday 27 June, Tens of thousands of Egyptians will join Muslims from around the world to start annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

According to astronomical calculations, Muslims in Egypt will perform Eid Al-Adha prayers at approximately 5:16am on Wednesday morning.