Dhaka: The government has officially declared a public holiday for Wednesday, March 18, through an executive order, as stated in a gazette notification.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the holiday has been announced because the date falls between the pre-scheduled holidays of Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr. The notification specifies that under the authority of serial number 37 of the Ministry of Public Administration in the Allocation of Business among Different Ministries and Divisions, as per Schedule I of the Rules of Business 1996, revised up to April 2017, the government has declared March 18, 2026, a one-day public holiday.
All government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed during this holiday. However, the holiday will not apply to essential services such as electricity, water, gas and other fuel supply, fire service, port operations, sanitation work, telephone and internet services, and postal services. Personnel involved in these services will not be subject to the holiday, as per the circular.
Hospitals and emergency services will continue to operate, with doctors and medical staff, as well as vehicles and personnel responsible for transporting medicines and medical equipment, remaining exempt from the holiday.
The order also mentions that offices engaged in emergency work will be exempt. Bangladesh Bank is expected to provide the necessary guidelines regarding the functioning of banks during this period. The Supreme Court will issue relevant directives concerning court operations.
For private sector industries, factories, and establishments, the Ministry of Labour and Employment will issue necessary instructions in line with the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, concerning the declaration of general holidays.