277 repatriates arrive in Tonga, more flights planned [1]
Thursday, March 31, 2022 - 19:18
Four repatriation flights arrived in Tonga yesterday, March 30, with 277 passengers, MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u confirmed this afternoon.
Ten passengers were from Samoa, 83 from Fiji, 76 from Australia and 108 from New Zealand.
The passengers are in quarantine for 15 days at the Tanoa Hotel and Kupesi Hotel, while some have been approved to quarantine in their own homes.
“This is the first time four repatriation flights have arrived in Tonga on the same day. The flights kept our frontliners very busy yesterday,” he said.
Although more passengers were expected on these flights, Paula said some stayed back due to various reasons, including testing positive to COVID-19 before the flight, and some got new jobs under the labour scheme.
Transits possible
He said that passengers who wish to return to Tonga from countries such as the USA may now transit through Fiji, New Zealand or Australia to a connecting repatriation flight, he said.
Meanwhile, more repatriation flights to Tonga are planned approximately every 21 days, from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and possibly Samoa.
Paula confirmed the next repatriation flights are due on April 20, May 11, June 1, and June 22.