Tonga extends managed quarantine to 21 days, with no home isolation [1]
Monday, February 8, 2021 - 14:23. Updated on Monday, February 8, 2021 - 14:26.
All 114 passengers repatriated from New Zealand and Fiji on February 4 have tested negative.
However, from this flight onwards, arriving passengers will be quarantined for 21-days at the managed facilities.
MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u said this morning, that once tested negative on the 21st day, the repatriees will be released go home.
Previously, the Tonga government required a total of 21-days (14-days in quarantine and seven days in home isolation).
“Now all 21-days will be carried out at quarantine, there will be no more home isolation,” said Paula.
“This is extra measure for the outbreak of Covid-19 variants already in Australia and New Zealand and to strengthen monitoring.” He said there had been various issues with home isolation.
Another 122 passengers are to be repatriated from Brisbane on Thursday, February 11.
There were 98 from New Zealand and 16 from Fiji and one air hostess (17 in total) who was on the Lulutai Airlines flight.
All remain quarantined at Tanoa Hotel in Nuku'alofa.