NZ repatriation flight deferred to protect Tonga from Delta variant [1]
Friday, August 20, 2021 - 18:05. Updated on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 - 15:43.
The repatriation flight from Auckland that was scheduled to arrive in Tonga on August 25 has been deferred, due to the recent increase of COVID-19 cases there.
Paula Ma’u MEIDECC CEO said today, the deference is until further notice, and all passengers and appropriate authorities were notified earlier this week.
The flight from Pago Pago had been deferred as well but it was from their end, he said.
At this stage, only the Vanuatu flight is on scheduled to arrive in Tonga on August 25 with 14 passengers.
As for Fiji, flights remain deferred, due to its COVID-19 situation.
He said some of the 30 Tongan passengers stranded in Fiji had made it to New Zealand where they had completed 14-days in quarantine.
“They came to Tonga in the last repatriation flights, and have completed also their 21-days of quarantine here,” he said.
"Government is financially supporting the remaining stranded passengers [in Fiji] up to next month, while they await any chance of quarantine placement in NZ."
Meanwhile, Tonga's Foreign Affairs is working hard to assist regarding visa and passport requirements, and were in contact with those in Fiji regularly, in collaboration with Fijian authorities. The Ministry of Health was also in contact with the Ministry of Health of Fiji for vaccination of not only the repatriates but for students and other Tongans.
“Government's priority is protecting the lives of the 100,000+ people in Tonga, no compromises whatsoever,” Paula said.
"Delta variant is lethal. This is why our border is still closed and Tonga remains covid-free."