Gov. Larry Hogan has declared this Friday will be a state holiday for Maryland state government agencies and offices.

“This year, I am declaring Dec. 23 as a holiday so that our hard-working employees can spend more time enjoying the holidays with their loved ones,” the outgoing governor said in a news release. “This is just another way to show our appreciation to our dedicated state workers who have worked tirelessly to serve their fellow Marylanders and help us to truly change Maryland for the better.”

Under the declaration, all Maryland state government agencies and offices will close Friday.

State, local and federal governments had already designated Monday, Dec. 26 as a holiday for Christmas.

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