(source: Sme)
All the shops across Slovakia will close on July 5 when Slovakia marks the day of Ss Cyril and Methodius. This will happen in line with the revision to the Labour Code, which extends the list of public and bank holidays on which the doors of shops and supermarkets will stay closed.
The new legislation was effective as of June 1st. Now, 15.5 days are work-free for retail staff. The only exceptions are petrol stations, shops at airports, bus and train stations, pharmacies and shops with souvenirs.
The ban applies only to the sale of goods. Thus, hairdressing salons and similar places where services are provided may be open.
The next days when the shops will remain closed will be Slovak National Uprising/SNP Day (August 29) and Constitution Day (September 1).
Before 1989
During the previous regime, shops in the then Czechoslovakia were generally open until 18:00 or 19:00 during working days and until noon on Saturdays. On Sundays and national holidays the shops were closed completely.
The fall of the communist regime in 1989 allowed the introduction of country shopping malls and international retail chains into the country which opened daily until late at night including weekends and holidays.
This has resulted in the rise of the consumerist lifestyle but has also encouraged efforts to close shops during national holidays as well as on Sundays.
