Around 215 repatriates arrived in Tongatapu from Christchurch last night and are currently in quarantine for three weeks at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa and Makeke Camp in Vaini. More repatriation flights are planned for Tonga up to March 2022.

The repatriates include seasonal workers as well as some of Tonga’s Olympic team members among others.

They are currently undergoing their first of three COVID-19 tests while in quarantine.

Meanwhile, New Zealand media reported today that two community COVID-19 cases in Christchurch were confirmed last night. Contact tracing is currently underway for the couple in Christchurch over the last fortnight.

More repatriation flights planned

The last repatriation flight for the year is scheduled to arrive on November 23 according to a MEIDECC statement on October 26.

MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u said the plan is for repatriation flights to arrive from New Zealand, Australia, and other Pacific Island countries approved by the Ministry of Health.

In 2022, repatriation flights are scheduled to arrive on January 11, February 8, and March 8.