The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (MCIL) has approved public holidays for the Christmas and New Year periods this festive season. 

In a public notice issued by the Ministry, businesses have been advised that they may open during the public holidays, in accordance with provisions of the Public Holidays Act 2008. 

However, employers are advised to comply with relevant provisions under the Labour Employment Relations Act 2013, in relation to the payment of public holiday pay. 

The notice from the Ministry added that the public, government agencies and the private sector are advised the specified dates are to be treated as Public Holidays to celebrate Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023. 

For the Christmas holiday the dates are Sunday 25 December 2022; Monday 26 December 2022; and Tuesday 27 December 2022; while New Year public holidays are Sunday 1 January 2023; Monday 2 January 2023; and Tuesday 3 January 2023. 

 The M.C.I.L. Acting Chief Executive Officer Leituala Lisi Faletutulu Asuao signed off the notice issued by the Ministry. 

The country was under nationwide lockdown and State of Emergency in the previous two festive seasons brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and prior to that the measles epidemic.

In 2019 the measles outbreak began in September and by January 2020 after the festive season there were more than 5,700 cases report with over 80 deaths. 

The start of 2020 was a period of bereavement for many families around the nation, as they try to cope with the loss of loved ones, many of them children who died from measles. 

As the country began to recover from the losses suffered during the measles epidemic, the strain of the virus that introduced the COVID-19 pandemic globally emerged in the region, forcing the closure of Samoa's borders. Incoming flights were also restricted to scheduled flights approved by Cabinet. 

Although there were restrictions across the country in 2021 the Government tried its best to lift the spirit of the nation by putting up fireworks in Upolu to welcome 2022.