The possibility of opening Tonga’s border mid-year is currently under discussion, the Minister for Health, Hon. Dr Saia Piukala confirmed this afternoon.

“If we are able to curb the spread of COVID-19, Government is discussing the possibility of opening Tonga’s border around June or July, due to our economic situation.”

He said this will be based on people adhering to COVID-19 protocols in place and working together to limit the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, three repatriation flights brought in a total of 257 passengers from Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand to Tonga on 20 and 21 April.

There were 137 passengers from Auckland, New Zealand, 69 from Brisbane, Australia, and 51 from Fiji.

Hon. Dr Piukala said all stranded passengers from Fiji, including those who were at the children’s hospital in Hawaii, had been repatriated to Tonga.

Passengers are staying in quarantine at the Tanoa and Kupesi Hotels and some are in home quarantine.

MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u told Matangi Tonga earlier today that they expected more passengers on the flights but some stayed behind due to a number of reasons.

They included testing positive to COVID-19, some passengers requested they return on a later flight, and others were not allowed to board because they were tested for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Tests instead of PCR tests prior to departure.

Meanwhile, passengers will now quarantine for 10 days, and Paula said this would allow more repatriation flights into Tonga.

Around five repatriation flights are planned for May / June at this stage.