There will be another day off in Ireland. The country's authorities decided to establish a day of remembrance for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

This year it will be celebrated on March 18, the day after St. Patrick's Day, the patron saint of the country, so the Irish will get four days off in a row. But starting next year, as noted by the Europa press agency, the new holiday will be celebrated on the first Monday of February.

In the meantime, the Irish government decided to thank all the medical workers who have stood at the forefront in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. This year they will receive a tax-free bonus of 1,000 euros - "in recognition of their work in dangerous and difficult conditions and for the thousands of lives they have saved," Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar explained.

Not only doctors and nurses can count on this payment, but hospital porters, cleaners, ambulance drivers. In addition, the same award will be given to the military, who performed support work in testing and vaccination centers, and employees of private nursing homes.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly acknowledged that the absence of certain groups of workers among those who are entitled to the bonus may cause some disappointment. "If this reward was given for hard work and dedication, many more people would receive it," he explained.

bbabo.Net