Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) offices will close on Monday as staff take the day off.

A spokesperson for MFAI said offices would close to support a staff end of year gathering “following what has been a very heavy year including the hosting of the PIFLM52 (Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting)”.

MFAI border services delivery during the day would be uninterrupted. 

The spokesperson said the day would be taken as time off in lieu of extended hours worked during the PIFLM52 hosting.

Normal operating hours would resume on Tuesday, December 19.

In a statement this week, MFAI apologised for any inconvenience this might cause and “thank you in advance for your understanding”.

Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter said such matters were for the head of ministry to determine.

The 52^nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting was held at the National Auditorium from November 6-10.

Public servants from other ministries were seconded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration to help with the regional meeting.

They took on specific duties that included logistics and planning, liaison, VIP drivers, drivers for support vehicles assisting in areas such as media, ICT, security, transportation, accreditation, accommodation and support services.