Passengers repatriated from Auckland, New Zealand, last week have tested negative in their first of three COVID-19 tests while in quarantine, confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today.

Under a new COVID-19 testing policy, three COVID-19 tests are now required from passengers in quarantine.

“One test on arrival, one on day 12 to 14 and one on day 20 to 21; all must be negative before a passenger is released from quarantine,” Dr ‘Akau’ola told Matangi Tonga.

The group of repatriated passengers who arrived from Vanuatu on June 22 also tested negative on arrival to COVID-19.

Dr ‘Akau’ola confirmed they again tested negative for their second COVID-19 tests done on day 14.

“They will have one final test on day 20 or 21 before they are released from quarantine, if all are negative,” he said.

“Anyone being positive in any of these three tests will of course be removed from quarantine together with anyone they spend in close contact with at quarantine, such as members of a small family living as a bubble in one room.”

They will be removed and further managed in isolation at the Mu'a Specialized COVID-19 Health Center if symptomatic; or removed and observed in isolation at a special area at Taliai Camp if they are fine and they do not show any symptoms, he added.

“On the other hand, we hope that our strict port of entry policy, which includes allowing repatriation of passengers only from areas with no community transmission of COVID-19 and mandatory pre-departure negative COVID-19 testing will provide us the reassurance that everyone being repatriated to Tonga will not bring the COVID-19 virus into the country.”

Meanwhile, 28,667 people have been inoculated with one dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, with the second dose currently being administered.

Tonga remains one of the few countries in the world that has not recorded any COVID-19 cases since the outbreak started last year.