A lockdown for the island of Tongatapu will start at one minute past midnight, tonight (12:01am November 2) with stricter social distancing measures enforced to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19. It means that everyone must stay at home, except for services that are designated essential. Meanwhile, no community transmission of COVID-19 has been detected.

The Prime Minister Hon Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa made the announcement late this afternoon. The lockdown follows the confirmation of Tonga's first COVID-19 case, among 215 passengers repatriated from Christchurch on October 27.

Cabinet ordered for the lockdown to start 12:01am tonight until 11:59pm on November 8 “to ensure the safety and health of our people”.

He said the lockdown applied only to the main island is a precaution, as the positive COVID-19 case is being monitored in Managed Isolation Quarantine (MIQ).

It also allows the Ministry of Health to carry out further COVID-19 tests of the 215 passengers as well as the front liners who worked on that night.

Meanwhile, CoViD-19 could be devastating in Tonga, but the CEO for the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola reaffirmed to the public that we have only one confirmed positive case.

“There is no community transmission here,” he said.

What lockdown means

As for the restrictions, Acting Police Commissioner and Brigadier Lord Fielakepa announced the restrictions.

All persons shall be required to isolate at home unless for the purpose of purchasing or supplying essential consumer goods, obtaining medical supplies or seeking medical assistance, access to banking and financial services.

• Night time curfews will apply from 8:00pm to 6:00am to be enforced by Tonga Police and HMAF.
• All domestic public transportation will cease, except for those exempted.
• All bars, restaurants, clubs, bottle shops and liquor manufactures will be closed.
• All licensed businesses and activities shall be closed except supermarkets and retail shops selling essential ;needs.
• All public facilities and gatherings are prohibited. Schools will also be closed and no church services allowed.
• Funerals are restricted to 10 indoors and 20 outdoors, with an authorised officer to be present.
• Social distancing enforced

People who work in essential services, as specified by the order, may attend work. These include essential staff from the Ministries of Health, Police, Marine and Ports, telecommunications operators, media workers, among others. It also includes public enterprises such as Tonga Gas Ltd, Tonga Power, Tonga Water, Fire and Emergency all Government Ministries, and others.

Download full text of the restrictions directions:

National Covid 19 Lockdown(Tongatapu) Restrictions Directions_01_11_2021.pdf [2] 872KB

Ngaahi tuutuuni fakangatangata fakafonua ki he tapuni fakataputapui COVID 19 (Tongatapu)-1.pdf [3] 844KB