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Unexpected govt shutdown including public schools and some private

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fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Government is under a “holiday/partial government shutdown” today, Jan. 4, 2021, except for cabinet directors and employees of the Department of Public Safety, Heath Department and LBJ Medical Center, along with Emergency Medical Service (EMS).

This according to a Jan. 3, 2021 general memorandum signed by Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga, and released by the Governor’s Offie on Sunday night. No explanation was provided in the memorandum as to why a holiday/partial shutdown and no information was available as the memo was released after hours.

The memorandum states that all government offices will be closed today, which is a “holiday” for ASG and normal activities suspended and executive branch employees of ASG who are not required to perform essential services are excused from their duties.

However, executive branch directors and employees of DPS, DoH and LBJ - along with EMS shall report to work as normal.

According to Lemanu, directors of executive branch departments and agencies may designate employees who are required to perform emergency or essential duties. Furthermore, the Chief Justice and the Legislature may designate the essential employees in their respective branches.

Lemanu ordered that ASG employees involved in disbursing of the payroll for the pay period ending Dec. 26, 2020 shall report to work. These employees may be excused once the checks are disbursed, or noon - whichever is later.

This pay period disbursing is today, Jan. 4th.

As a result of the governor’s memo with holiday/partial government shutdown today, all public schools are closed and resume tomorrow - according to the Education Department notice issued last night.

For private schools, all Catholic schools also close today, as well as Manumalo Baptist Academy, South Pacific Academy and Samoa Baptist Academy.

There was no information yet on other private schools as of 6a.m. today