Cabinet has approved fees for CoViD-19 testing for outbound passengers travelling from Tonga to another country, confirmed Attorney General Linda Folaumoetui today.

The CoViD-19 fees were added to the Health Services and Fees Regulation which “is yet to be gazetted”. The Attorney General did not confirm when the regulation was expected to be gazetted.

Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said the CoViD-19 testing for travellers will be carried out at Vaiola Hospital at a fee of $250 pa’anga for non-Tongans, and $100 pa’anga for Tongans.

Meanwhile, a group of Chinese people in Tonga are among those eager to return home, but can't leave due to China's travel requirement for a pre-departure CoViD-19 test.

Felicia Huang told Matangi Tonga some were aiming to get on one of the “rare flights” connecting Tonga, New Zealand, and China on 30 October. They hoped they would be able to get tested for CoViD-19 by then.