Eradicating pests and a celebration picnic to recognise the hard work of staff are the reasons why two Government departments will encounter varying degrees of disruption today.

The Cabinet Office and its grounds will be closed all day while the main building is fumigated by Bermuda Pest Control. It means that no visitors will be allowed to use the grounds or access the Central Policy Unit at its office headquarters.

However, Cabinet staff will be attending a workshop elsewhere and throughout the day will be monitoring voicemail messages and responding to critical matters.

And today will be a half-day as far as work is concerned for all employees of the Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing. The Ministry will close at midday so that all its staff can attend a picnic at Clearwater Beach to "demonstrate appreciation for their service to the Ministry," according to Works Minister Sen. David Burch.

Sen. Burch said: "The Ministry is committed to demonstrating that Government must be an employer of first choice and as such values its employees. This event provides us another opportunity for both blue and white collar workers in this diverse Ministry to interact in a relaxed atmosphere."

Most of the East End garbage collection will be done by midday, however any rubbish which is not collected by that time will be picked up by crews on Saturday morning.

Ministry headquarters, the quarry, the Rent Commissioner's office, Marsh Folly, Airport Waste Facility and Prospect Depot will be closed, however Tyne's Bay waste treatment facility and the Longbird and swing bridges will operate as normal.

Sen. Burch added: "Our employees are tremendously hard workers, from waste management to the quarry to the road works crews and everywhere in between. All have worked tirelessly throughout the year, and this is another way of showing our gratitude for their service."

The Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing and the Cabinet Office are due to reopen for business as normal on Monday.