Tongan Gov’t asks NZ/Aust to quarantine Tongans returning from China [1]
Friday, January 31, 2020 - 14:33. Updated on Friday, January 31, 2020 - 14:34.
Tonga's Prime Minister has asked the New Zealand and Australian Governments to assist quarantine four Tongan sports teams and students, upon their return from China.
In a press statement on January 30, Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said Government asked that they be temporarily quarantined in New Zealand or Australia, despite not having visa permits to enter.
It is expected they would be quarantined for 14-days and when cleared, will return to Tonga.
However, if a viral case is found among them, Government has asked that they be kept in either New Zealand or Australia until they are well, said the PM's Office.
Cabinet has also directed for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Education to work together to get the Tongans out of China next week, or as soon as possible.
It also set aside [unspecified] funds for the Ministry of Health to have in place equipment and a center as precautionary measures for potential cases.
“The Government of Tonga are making all efforts to protect Tonga and its people from the virus, which has not been confirmed in Tonga.”
PM Tu'i'onetoa, who is a Doctor of Christian Ministry from the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, asked for church leaders and the country to pray.
Stranded
In China, 51 members (including teenagers) and officials make up Tonga’s sports team stranded there, after cancelled flights to Hong Kong earlier in the week.
There are also Tongan students in Wuhan, the epicenter of the viral outbreak.