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Most UAE residents plan to 'rest' during Eid break

Dubai - Private sector employees will get at least four days off, with the break beginning on Monday, June 3.

From long road trips to staycations, and from travelling home to meet loved ones to catching up on much-needed sleep, UAE residents have a long line of activities planned for the upcoming Eid Al Fitr holidays.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced the Eid holidays for the public and private sectors. Public sector employees in the UAE will get a week-long holiday for Eid Al Fitr, the Cabinet announced on Sunday. The break will start from June 2 and work will resume on June 9.
According to a social media poll conducted by Khaleej Times, 36 per cent of the respondents said they plan on catching up on some rest and sleep. Readers were asked how they plan to spend the long Eid Al Fitr holidays.
Ashwin Fernandes said: "Since most malls would be crowded, I'd be spending time with my parents at home. Evenings will be spent on strolls in the park, binge-watching movies or being a 'tourist' visiting new attractions in the city."
However, a total of 23 per cent plan on enjoying staycations, trips to the beach and road trips.
Take Indian resident Sijin Gopinathan for example. He is planning a cross-country road trip with his family. A graphic design artist, Gopinathan said: "I am planning a cross-country trip with my family, exploring the vast lands of the seven emirates and spending some quality time with them during the long Eid holidays."
He added: "It is such a great way to relax after a stressful month, and the most inspiring way to create my new doodle project The Emirates, which can be considered my tribute to the nation."
About 16 per cent plan on working throughout the days off and nine per cent would like to travel, with Oman being the most popular choice for residents choosing to travel near the UAE. However, airlines are cashing in on the high demand for travel abroad by hiking ticket prices.
Sarah Rizvi, a Pakistani national and social media influencer, said: "We, a group of six friends, are heading for Beirut. It's a short flight away and the visa process is not long. Also, the tickets were cheap because we booked a month in advance and the hotel was reasonably priced, too."
She added: "Summertime in Lebanon is supposedly really nice with their outdoor scenes."
Another nine per cent of those surveyed opted for international travel to their home countries, such as Pakistan, the Philippines and the UK.
Schedule of leaves
The public sector would get nine days off to celebrate Eid, including the two-day weekend preceding the break. Private sector employees will get at least four days off, with the break beginning on Monday, June 3 (Ramadan 29), the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced.
If the holy month of Ramadan has 30 days and Eid falls on June 5, they will get five days off (last two days of Ramadan and three days of Eid). If Ramadan has 29 days and Eid falls on June 4, they will get four days off (last day of Ramadan and three days of Eid). Private sector employees, with Friday and Saturday as their weekly off, will enjoy a six-day break.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com