Two weeks isolation is not long enough and Tonga needs more time to put into place its strategy to counter the influx of the CoViD-19 virus, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola, Chief Executive Officer for Tonga’s Ministry of Health said today.

To fight the battles ahead they need CoViD-19 testing equipment, and protective equipment and clothing for health workers.

They have very little protective equipment at the moment.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa declared the two weeks of isolation from 23 March to 6 April, to the stop inflow of Tongans and foreigners into the country, giving Tonga some time to put preventative measures into place.

The Ministry of Health is aiming to acquire equipment to analyse specimens of suspected CoViD-19 carriers in Tonga.

They need to train medical staff and health workers as well as everyone who works in the hospital and clinics, including the cleaners.

Dr 'Akau’ola told Matangi Tonga today that they need more time to acquire the equipment and the clothing that they have ordered from overseas.

He said that they had also decided to established places of quarantine. He was convinced that sending people to secured places of quarantine will be much better than the “home isolation” approach they had implemented.

Dr 'Akau’ola was optimistic that with “more time” they should be able to have their testing equipment, protective clothing for medical officers and places of quarantines ready.

The government of the People's Republic of China has donated USD200,000 today to help the Tonga Government with the purchase of personal protective equipment for fighting CoViD-19.

Tonga's strategy at the moment is to keep CoViD-19 out.