The cruise ship MS Amsterdam has been cleared by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to dock in Nuku’alofa at 8am on 28 February and depart at 5pm.

With the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases increasing around the world, each cruise ship visit to Tonga has to be approved by the MOH.

Ministry of Tourism Special Projects Officer, Viliami Finaulahi, told Matangi Tonga today, they received the thumbs up from the Ministry of Health National Task Force only yesterday to allow the cruise ship to visit Tonga.

“We have been following this up for quite a while.”

He said MOH sent a clearance form to the Ship Operators and Agents, Jones Travel and PFL to clarify the medical status of the ship from their last Port which was the Cook Islands.

“This statement is then sent through to MOH for their examinations and clearance. MOH then make the decision whether the Ship should dock or not.”

He added that staff from MOH will be at the wharf to conduct the usual arrival procedures for COVID-19 awareness and testing for passengers and crew totalling 1,812.

More notice required

Viliami stressed however, that more notice is needed for these decisions as it is “affecting not only the Ministry of Tourism but also private organizations, resorts, restaurants, tour operators and the locals”.

“Each week we prepare two weeks prior to the arrive of cruises. So, for us to receive a late confirmation on Cruise Ships, whether it is cancelled or not is a huge risk.”

“It can also cause Cruise Lines to avoid visiting our country in the future. We would like to avoid last minute decisions so it can be fair to all Tourism Industries.”

Three more cruise ships are scheduled to visit Tonga in March.

According to a cruise mapper [2] which tracks ships, the MS Amsterdam with mainly American passengers, left Florida, USA on 4 January, making its way to Dominica, St Lucia Island, French Guiana, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, East Falkland Island, Chile, and Easter Island, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands, before arriving in Tonga, and is scheduled to head to Auckland.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 81,315 as of this morning according to Johns Hopkins University [3]. The virus has spread to more countries now with South Korea confirming 1,261 cases followed by Italy with 401, and Iran with 139.

The number of deaths total 2,770 and 30,322 have recovered.

To date, no Pacific Island country has reported any cases of the virus.