There will be no Santa Claus or Christmas shopping in Central Nuku'alofa this year while the area remains a ghost town.

The Emergency Powers giving the Tonga Defence Services (TDS) and the Tonga Police the right to preserve public order and secure the public's safety, have been extended for another month, until January 16, 2007.

Under the emergency powers the central Nuku'alofa business district has become a restricted zone under military protection since the violence of the November 16 riots.

Lt Colonel Tongapo'uli said this afternoon that one of the reasons for the extension was to give the Ministry of Works time for the demolition of the many buildings that were gutted by fire, and the cleaning up of central Nuku'alofa in preparation for the next phase of reconstruction.

"So for the safety of the public it was best to extend the restriction of the central Nuku'alofa zone so the work could be completed before being opened up to the general public," he said. Government requested the time extension and the military would continue its current duties of securing the restricted zone as well as other key sites outside of the central zone, he said.

The emergency powers declared by King George V on November 17 were made for securing the public safety and the maintenance of public order in Tonga, allowing the police and the army to control the use of the streets.

It also gives the TDS and Tonga Police the right to use force if necessary to restore public order when dealing with suspected persons. They can without warrant stop and search any person or enter and search premises or stop board and search any vessels, vehicles or aircrafts and seize evidence.

Paula Ma'u the Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister's office said the emergency powers were initially for 30 days, but considering the Christmas and New year holidays as well as the annual prayer week for some churches the Privy Council had decided to extend the current powers over the holiday period for the sake of the people's safety. It would give them liberty to go to events without fearing some violent outburst taking place again.

Meanwhile, bars, which are normally licensed to run until 3 am, must now close at 1 am.