Two days off work for four regions! Due to the visit of Pope Leo XIV, the Peruvian government is introducing special arrangements. But there is a catch: the missed working hours must be made up.
Excitement is building in northern Peru! Pope Leo XIV is expected in Peru from November 11 to 16, 2026. Numerous believers hope to meet the head of the Church. Preparations are in full swing, especially in Chiclayo, where the Pope once served as bishop. With Decree No. 020-2026-TR of October 23, 2026, the government has declared several days off work.
Four regions get two days off
Northern Peru will benefit particularly from the decision. Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, 2026, will be days off work in the regions of Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, and Cajamarca. This is intended to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend the religious celebrations without having to request regular leave.
The decision applies to both the public and private sectors. However, the arrangement does not mean that all businesses and facilities must close on these two days.
The catch: The missed hours must be made up!
Those who are already looking forward to two additional days off should look closely. The government has not created new statutory holidays, but has designated days off work with compensatory time. Employees must therefore generally make up the missed working hours at a later date.
For public employees, the time off is to be made up within the following ten days or on a date determined by the respective authority. In private companies, employers and employees must agree on how the arrangement and compensatory time will be applied. If no agreement can be reached, the decision rests with the employer.
Lima and other regions also receive special arrangements
Northern Peru is not the only region affected by the measures. In Lima and Callao, November 11 and 12 will be days off work from 1 p.m. onwards. November 16 has also been declared a full day off. In this way, the government is responding to the planned events and the expected influx of visitors.
Special arrangements have also been planned for Cusco and Ucayali. November 15 will be a day off work there, but exclusively for private-sector employees. Further details can be found in the PeruMagazin article Pope Leo XIV in Peru: New Details on Chiclayo, Cajamarca, and Lima.
Despite the papal visit: Work does not stop everywhere
While numerous employees will have the opportunity to attend the celebrations, essential services must continue to operate. Hospitals, emergency services, security forces, and water and energy supply facilities must maintain their services.
Public transport, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses essential to the supply of services may also use necessary staff. Demand for transport and accommodation is likely to increase, especially at the event venues.
Chiclayo in a papal fever: A special return
For Chiclayo, Leo XIV's visit is much more than an ordinary event. The current Pope served in Peru for many years and led the Diocese of Chiclayo as bishop. His connection to the northern Peruvian region remains close to this day.
Numerous believers from Lambayeque and the neighboring regions are expected at the events. Many people are also likely to travel from Piura, La Libertad, and Cajamarca. The days off work are intended to make it easier for them to attend, but could at the same time cause a significant increase in travel.
A major papal mass is planned for November 13 in Pimentel. Details are provided in the Visitor Plan for Chiclayo and Pimentel. For the following day, there is another Visitor Plan for Santa Cruz and Chiclayo.
The influx of visitors could cause problems in northern Peru
Hotels and restaurants can benefit from the influx of visitors. At the same time, travelers must prepare for possible road closures, traffic disruptions, and temporary service restrictions.
PeruMagazin previously reported on the security preparations in the article Papal Fever in Chiclayo: Security Countdown. Anyone traveling during the papal visit should plan their journey well in advance and pay attention to current information from local authorities.
What employees need to know now
Are the additional days off paid? These are not new statutory holidays, but days off work with subsequent compensatory time. Which specific rules apply depends, among other things, on whether the employment is in the public or private sector.
Must shops and businesses close? No. The arrangement does not mean a general closure of operations. Essential services must continue to be provided.
Do the days off work apply throughout the country? No. Different dates and, in some cases, different labor law arrangements have been established for the individual regions.
The papal visit changes everyday life in northern Peru
Pope Leo XIV's visit will be a major religious event for Peru. The anticipation is particularly great in northern Peru, where the head of the Church served for many years. The additional days off work are intended to enable people to attend the celebrations.
For many believers, the two days are a special opportunity. However, employees face an important restriction: the missed work must be made up later.
Sources
El Peruano – Supreme Decree No. 020-2026-TR, October 23, 2026.
Ministerio de Trabajo y Promoción del Empleo – Days off work for the papal visit, October 2026.
Agencia Andina – Reporting on the special regional arrangements.
Image note: AI-generated illustration, not a documentary photograph of the papal visit.
