Brazil Readies for Nov. 20 Black Consciousness Day With Bank Closures and Local Schedule Changes

Overview

• Bank branches will be closed on Thursday, with Pix and digital channels operating normally, and many public offices will suspend in-person service.
• Several governments and city halls have designated Friday, Nov. 21, as an optional workday, extending the break in some places, while others keep normal Friday operations.
• Essential services such as health care, security, transport and utilities will continue, with companies like Enel, Neoenergia and Compesa maintaining emergency crews and 24/7 digital support.
• Retail and malls will run special hours that vary by city, with detailed schedules published for Fortaleza, Recife, São Luís, Teresina, Petrolina, Divinópolis and São Carlos–Araraquara–Rio Claro.
• In São Luís, the state administration set Friday as a discretionary day off and commerce may open under a collective agreement requiring 100% holiday pay and other conditions for staff.