Public offices will be closed Monday during visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping

May 28^th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The President of China, Xi Jinping, will arrive in Costa Rica on Sunday, and government officials say he will receive the same type of treatment as did U.S. President, Barack Obama during his visit to Costa Rica earlier this month.

The government announced that public employees in several Central Valley cantons would receive the day off on Monday, declaring Xi’s visit “of the public interest.”  The specific cantons should be announced later today.  During Obama’s visit, the day off was applied in Alajuela, San José, Escazú, Belen, Montes de Oca, Goicoechea and Curridabat.  Xi will leave the country on Tuesday.

The government has said that Xi will receive the same degree of security as was afforded to President Obama during his visit earlier this month.  “The decision to implement [Monday’s day off for public employees] is mainly due to the security measures required for the official visit of President Xi Jinping,” authorities said through a press release.

As during Obama’s visit, traffic congestion and road closures are expected on routes that will be traveled by Xi’s motorcade.