Tonga repatriation flights planned for January 2022, 71% now fully vaxed [1]
Thursday, December 9, 2021 - 17:06. Updated on Friday, December 10, 2021 - 10:04.
Repatriation flights to Tonga from Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji (for stranded passengers), and possibly Samoa have been confirmed tentatively for January 18 next year, MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u told Matangi Tonga this afternoon.
A repatriation flight from New Zealand that was scheduled for January 11 has been delayed and confirmed tentatively for January 20.
So far, 3,122 people have been repatriated to Tonga since the border restrictions began in March 2020.
The last repatriation flight to Tonga from New Zealand arrived on October 27 with 215 passengers.
Meanwhile, Tonga has been rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations to the eligible population aged 12 years and above.
Out of the population aged 12 and above, at least 96% have been inoculated with their first dose while 71% are now fully vaccinated, confirmed Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today.
The Tongan Government has previously stated that once 70% of Tonga’s total population has been fully vaccinated, they will start repatriation flights from high risk countries.