By Eleanor Gee.

While no cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Tonga, tougher measures for incoming travellers were imposed today, in a fifth advisory aimed at preventing the virus from entering the country.

Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said Government and the Ministry of Health have toughened their stance, due to the increasing outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide and it being declared a pandemic by the WHO,

This travel advisory applied to countries that have more than 60 people with COVID-19 and where there is community transmission, as confirmed by WHO.

More countries infected

Travelers originating from or transiting through :

• United States,
• Australia,
• United Kingdom,
• Italy,
• China,
• Iran,
• Daegu Province and Cheongdo County (Republic of Korea),

among others, are required to have spent at least 14-days self­ quarantine outside of China and the listed countries, and provinces. This does not include New Zealand.

International travelers originating from or transiting through the listed countries, provinces and counties are also required to obtain a medical clearance three days prior to arrival (confirming travelers are free of symptoms of acute respiratory illness) prior to departure from the last port of entry into Tonga. 

However, this restriction does not apply to Tongan citizens, permanent residents or their immediate (nuclear) family members, and international travelers who have not been in these countries in the 14-days prior to arrival in Tonga. Instead, they must provide a medical clearance within 3 days prior to arriving in Tonga, as well as report and register with the Ministry of Health Border Control Team for 14 days quarantine in Tongatapu.

Quarantine Measures

At the same time, all international travelers, who upon arrival in Tonga reflect symptoms of COVID-19, as determined by the Ministry of Health Border Control Team, shall undergo health quarantine measures at the HMAF Taliai Camp, Fua'amotu. 

Vessel operators and airlines operating in Tonga are required to report to the Ministry of Health, the presence of any sick person on board as required under the International Health Regulations (2005).

“It is strongly recommended that all persons intending to travel to China, Italy, Iran, Daegu Province and Cheongdo County (Republic of Korea) or any country affected by the COVID-19, postpone their travel arrangements unless necessary,” stated the advice.

Yachts

All international cruise ships and yachts scheduled to arrive in Tonga are now barred indefinitely.

The PM asked the people of Tonga to work together and collaborate in preventative measures to stay safe.

Tonga situation

Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akauola confirmed there are three people suspected of COVID-19 currently in Taliai Camp.

One came through Taiwan and two through Hong Kong. Both these places have very well controlled COVID-19 programs, with the community transmission almost nil, he explained.

“So, we feel that all those guys quarantined are pretty safe. But because we had that travel advisory saying that anyone coming through China, has to be quarantined, that’s why they are there. But, of course, once we put out a travel advisory, we have to comply. So, our team complied with that advisory."

The Health CEO said in a way our travel history is very strict and while some countries are only isolating people that are confirmed or probable, Tonga isolates people who are confirmed, probable, suspected or were in close contact.

The suspect cases were found to be clinically fine, however Dr 'Akau'ola said they would still test them and make sure they are negative before they are let out into the community.

“The contacts to the suspect cases will be self-isolated if they don’t have symptoms. But if they have symptoms, of course, we’ll take them out [separate them] from the community.”

Since Tonga announced the Public Health Emergency Order last Friday, no one has been turned away from Tonga’s borders, apart from an earlier incident when COVID-19 had started to spread through countries.

“That’s a good sign. I think travel agencies, and our foreign neighbours are complying. They are looking at our travel advisories seriously. So that’s a good thing,” he said.