3. But now, we take it for granted that stores and restaurants in town open as usual. It means employees are tied down during the period. Some workers might have no family to spend holidays with, some might think it's better to work than spending time away with family. But some might feel reproachful that they have to work and cannot enjoy holiday with family and friends. However, gradually more and more major supermarkets and department stores close down during two or three days from New Year’s Day.
For the sake of those workers, I don't think general pause of retailers and restaurants around New Year’s Day is necessary -On the condition that employees who work around New Year’s Day are given compensating holidays and extra pay. Incidentally, although it's hasty to mention such thing today, Christmas days in this year are on weekday. But employers MUST NOT set meetings and overtime work on Christmas days just because they are weekdays!