Ash Wednesday is the date that marks the end of Carnival. In Christian tradition, it also represents the beginning of Lent, a period of 40 days before the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. However, despite its symbolic importance, the day is not considered a national holiday.
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According to the calendar published by the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI), Ash Wednesday is considered an optional period until 2pm. The days leading up to the date – Monday and Carnival Tuesday – are also considered optional points, not national holidays.
Check out how different services work this Ash Wednesday:
INSS agencies
After being closed on February 12th and 13th, the National Social Security Institute (INSS) service agencies reopened at 2pm this Wednesday (14th), for policyholders who have an appointment.
The human service at Central 135 also resumed normal hours, from 7am to 10pm, after only operating from 7am to 6pm on the 10th, 12th and 13th of February. Using the number, you can obtain information about benefits and payments or check the scheduling time for in-person service.
Banks
This Wednesday (14), opening hours for the public resumed at 12pm and are scheduled to end at normal branch closing times. In locations where banks regularly close before 3pm, the start of banking hours was brought forward, in order to guarantee a minimum of 3 hours of in-person service to the public.
It is worth remembering that banks were closed on February 12th and 13th. But consumers were able to schedule payment of bills and bills at ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking and through the institutions’ telephone service.
Stock Exchange
Trading on the Brazilian Stock Exchange resumed at 1pm this Wednesday (14) and will continue until its normal closing at 5:55pm. Negotiations were interrupted on Monday (12) and Tuesday (13) during Carnival.
Treasury Direct operations for buying and selling securities also returned this Ash Wednesday at 2pm. Investments made on February 9th (Friday before Carnival), from 9:30am to 6pm, will be settled this Wednesday (14th). Redemptions requested from 1pm to 6pm on February 9th will also be settled on this date.
The investment schedules scheduled for February 14th, in turn, will consider this Wednesday’s market opening prices and rates and will be settled on February 15th.
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