A newly revised law means that apart from Good Friday, the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, shops can now stay open on public holidays.
The Public Holidays Bill 2024 went through the second reading, committee stage with no amendments and third reading during a meeting of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly.
It was then passed into law, with all members voting unanimously for the bill.
Attorney General Sheree Jemmotte-Rodney on presenting the bill on 30 April explained it repeals and replaces the previous Public Holidays Act.
“Under the current act, there is a lack of clarity as to what establishments can be opened on a public holiday,” she said.
“The position will now be that except on certain specified public holidays, shops can be open.”
Drugstores, petrol stations and garages can open on any of the 12 public holidays, she added, while banks and public offices must be kept closed.
Anyone who disobeys the law may receive a fine of $1,000.
The bill also empowers the governor, acting on the advice of Cabinet, to change the date of an established public holiday, or designate other days as a public holiday.
And it clarifies terms such a public holiday, bank holiday, common law holiday and shop.
‘Extremely clear’
Premier Joseph E Farrell, who rose to speak in support of the bill, said: “We recognise that it is costly to have a blanket closure of businesses on public holidays.”
He said he is very pleased to see amendments to the Public Holidays Act to specify those days when businesses are permitted to remain open or must close.
The premier reminded members of an incident on one Good Friday when police attempted to enforce legislation and got pushback from members of the community.
The new bill makes it “extremely clear” when businesses must be closed, he said.
Opposition member Donaldson Romeo also rose to offer his support to the bill which he said established a proper framework for public holidays.
Agriculture minister Crenston Buffonge asked for some clarity on what constitutes a day, to which the attorney general responded that it is the full 24 hours.
The new Public Holidays Act 2024 is available online here.
