The first two repatriation flights for 2021, with a total of 238 passengers from Samoa and Auckland, New Zealand, arrived in Tonga this afternoon, 14 January, confirmed Tonga Police.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Atunaisa Taumoepeau said there were 24 passengers from Samoa and 214 from New Zealand.

All passengers were escorted to the Tanoa Hotel and Makeke Camp, where they will spend 14 days in quarantine, followed by a week in home quarantine.

All passengers will be tested for CoViD-19 on arrival and again on the 14^th day of quarantine.

In Nuku'alofa, road blocks have been reinstated on Vuna Road and Tupoulahi Road around the Tanoa Hotel for the duration of the quarantine period.

Meanwhile, the crew who were on the Lulutai Airlines repatriation flight from Samoa are also required to stay in quarantine.

Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola told Matangi Tonga today the crew serving the passengers within the passengers' cabin will be quarantined together with passengers for 14 days followed by one more week of home quarantine for added safety.

Whereas the two pilots and engineer who wore PPEs and were in the cockpit compartment of the plane without contact with passengers during the flight will also “be quarantined separately at Taliai Camp for 5 days then tested for CoViD-19”.

“Now this is the important part," said Dr 'Akau'ola. "If all repatriated passengers test negative for CoViD-19 on day one of quarantine and the two pilots and engineer also test negative for CoViD-19 on day 5, then the two pilots and engineer will be free to go.”

As for the Lulutai Airlines aircraft, Dr ‘Akau’ola said it could either be decontaminated with proper disinfecting procedures and should then be safe to resume domestic services, or it could be decontaminated and left for three days before resumption of domestic services by Monday next week.

“But our public health team together with the airport CoViD-19 committee will look at it again and provide best advice as necessary.”

"Either way, both methods are safe with no risk to the public," he said.