Tonga renews health state of emergency and CoViD-19 restrictions
Monday, January 18, 2021 - 18:57
Tonga’s Declaration of a State of Emergency has been renewed from 8:00pm today, Monday January 18 until 8:00pm Monday, February 15 due to the continuous spread of CoViD-19 around the world.
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Laws “in force” are not
The Laws “in force” are not consistent. Every month the National COVID-19 Restrictions are renewed and the directions posted. They have been “in force” since the State of Emergency was Declared on the 20th of March 2020- but not however effectively enforced. Or rather they are selectively enforced. Neither the “mass gathering” nor the “social distancing” directives are being fully adhered to. There are regular indoor activities and gatherings in Tonga of hundreds of people that far exceed the maximum number of 50 - apart from the exempted religious services and educational institutions.
What message does this send out to the general public?
What will happen when there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in Tonga and people just carry on ignoring the laws?
If a law is stated as law then it should be enforced- or not have the law in the first place.
Concerning “mass gatherings” and “social distancing”, it is very clearly stated and with only two specific exceptions: “mass gatherings” means any gathering not exceeding a total of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors in any gathering except for religious services and educational institutions. “social distancing” means keeping 1.5 meters distance from any other person at all times.
That is to say all indoor gatherings are not to exceed 50 people - with the only exceptions being religious services and educational institutions and people must keep 1.5 meters distance from any other person at all times- seated or standing.
Apparently, there is also a $1000 fine for driving causing loud noise and at least two drivers have been fined for causing loud music. This is twice as much as any other fine yet every other car still has offensively thunderous sound systems blaring or thumping and rumbling, day and night. There are still further noise pollution laws that are not being enforced.
Unfortunately there will never be any respect for the law without consistency.