Public holiday declared for 3rd September will close businesses & transport

Reports on 26 August 2008 announced that acting-President Rupiah Banda has declared 3 September as a public holiday in honor of the late President Levy Mwanawasa's contributions to Zambia. The date coincides with Mwanawasa's scheduled burial day. All businesses will be closed on this day, and transportation services will likely also be affected. Additionally, Banda announced that Mwanawasa's burial venue has been changed to Embassy Park, located opposite the Government Secretariat in Lusaka. Traffic will likely be significantly disrupted in this area, and visitors should plan alternate routes around this location to avoid delays. Mwanawasa was supposed to have been buried at his private Palabana Farm, but high public demand to bury the president in a public location prompted the change of site.