Originally the administration should close only after Christmas until after New Year. But then Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan decided to take the wishes of the staff council into account and to order a break as early as 23 December. According to the press office, this will lead to savings of around 300,000 euros a day through the reduction of provisions and overtime. In addition, the administration is saving energy costs; for the town house alone, the administration expects to save 10,000 Euro in energy costs.

Excluded from the closure are departments of the municipal public order office, the fire brigade and rescue service and waste disposal. In the event of emergencies, such as the notarisation of deaths or very urgent passport matters, Bonn citizens can contact the central telephone number of the city administration on 0228/77-0. According to the municipal press office, the telephone number is manned from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 23, 27 and 30 December.

(Original text: GA Bonn; Translation: Mareike Graepel)