Twenty-six passengers repatriated from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on Saturday, 5 September, tested negative for CoViD-19 confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today.

The passengers included missionaries, university students and citizens who were stranded in these countries.

The flight was chartered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

The passengers will remain quarantined at the Tanoa Hotel for 14 days along with other repatriated passengers who arrived from Fiji and Kiribati last week.

All passengers will be required to complete a further seven days of home quarantine following their release from the hotel.

Meanwhile, Dr ‘Akau’ola said there was no confirmed plan yet for the next repatriation flight to Tonga.

According to a MEIDECC press statement dated 5 September, government was continuing to work on plans to repatriate Tongan nationals who are stranded overseas, including countries where CoViD-19 cases have again increased.