Members of the public have been reminded to turn their clocks back one hour on Sunday 4 April as the period of daylight savings officially draws to a close.

The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour Chief Executive Officer, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, told the Samoa Observer of the impending time change in an interview.

The time switch will officially take place at 4am,

“The public is therefore advised that when the standard time strikes the hour of four o’clock (4:00am) on Sunday 4 April 2021, then all instruments used to measure standard time are to be adjusted/changed to three o’clock (3:00am),” read the M.C.L. public notice.

The Ministry advised people to adjust their clocks before retiring for the evening. 

Pulotu said that one of the benefits of daylight savings is that it translates to a lot of savings in electricity costs for residents.

“Another advantage of daylight savings is that it leads to having more daylight time after working hours and to save electricity," he said.

According to a 2018 survey of public opinion by the M.C.I.L. members of the public supported the policy by a margin of 611 of 1110 respondents.

Most of the 499 who were against the initiative, were mainly concerned about the start time for schools. 

Pulotu said that the Ministry conducts surveys on the matter every four years.

“The Government has solved the issue of [the time change making routines] too early for schools to start around 9 am to ensure the safety of the students.

“However, it also depends on some schools if they are not abiding by this new time change.

“[Daylight savings] it is all for a good purpose when it first started it was to assist with increases in fuel prices.

“We have not received any formal complaint on daylight savings otherwise we would have informed the Minister and Cabinet accordingly.”

The idea behind the initiative implemented by the Government through the Daylight Savings Act 2009 was in response to addressing a worldwide crisis in skyrocketing fuel prices.