The Chamber of Commerce is reassuring companies there is no public holiday next week.

Some individuals have contacted the Chamber for advice, as it seems some confusion remains as to whether October 12 is a holiday.

One businessman told The Royal Gazette he believed this was partly due to pre-printed material marking the date.

Last year, October 13 was designated National Heroes Day, with Dame Lois Browne Evans the first Bermudian to be honoured.

This year however, Government switched the holiday to June following public opposition. National Heroes Day was celebrated on June 15, replacing the traditional Queen's Birthday holiday.

The holiday was passed into law in May with the Public Holidays Amendment (No. 2) Act 2009.

One businessman however, told The Royal Gazette: "I keep receiving general E-mails/newsletters from local sources like Bermuda.com that list October 12, 2009 as a public holiday.

"Worried about the accuracy of that in terms of our staffing, I have had verified by the Cabinet Office that indeed there is no public holiday in October.

"Obviously pre-printed material still shows the October holiday, but it will cause confusion if newly printed/written information still indicates the day."

Diane Gordon, executive vice president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, said: "I have heard from some people asking whether it is a holiday and have confirmed with Government that it is not.

"It was mainly individuals from corporate local and international businesses which contacted us, rather than HR [human resources] departments."