The Alcohol Control Board has extended the operating hours for the distribution and sales of alcohol for nightclubs on a temporary basis during the festive season. 

This was outlined in a notice issued by the Ministry of Customs and Revenue and published on its website on Thursdy. 

"All liquor licence holders are hereby advised that Alcohol Control Board has approved the following temporary operating hours for the distribution and sale of all alcohol products during festive seasons."

According to the notice, the opening hours for selling of alcohol for nightclubs on Friday, December 23 will commence on 6 am to 2 am on Saturday December 24. 

For Saturday, opening hours will start from 6 am and closes at 12 am of Sunday, 25 of December. 

However, the distribution and sales of alcohol for nightclubs will be back to its normal hours from boxing day, on December 26 until Thursday December 29. 

On Friday December 30, nightclubs will be opened from 6 am and closes at 2 am on December 31. 

It will then be opened from 6 am on New Year's Eve and closes at 12 am on Sunday, January 1 2023. 

Operating hours will be then back to normal hours on Monday, January 2, 2023. 

"All licenses with the exception of Food and Beverage and Hotel Licenses are required to operate according to the current restrictions of alcohol on Sundays."

The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (MCIL) announced the public holidays for Christmas and New Year periods this festive season, earlier this month. 

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.