By Associated Press - Wednesday, April 9, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Brazilian banks will be required to stay open on working days during the World Cup, even when Brazil plays a match.

Brazil’s Central Bank said Wednesday that banks can reduce their opening hours to four from the minimum five required, but can’t shut down during the tournament, which opens June 12 in Sao Paulo.

Many other businesses are expected to close down, and the city of Rio de Janeiro, which hosts the final on July 13, has decreed three public holidays during the tournament.

July 4 will be an entire day’s holiday with a quarterfinal set for Maracana stadium. June 25, when Ecuador plays France, and June 18, when Spain faces Chile, will be half-day holidays. The city says the holidays will reduce car traffic and ease stadium access.

Other host cities are making similar provisions.

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