Three repatriation flights from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji are expected to arrive in Tonga on June 29 and 30 with more than 500 passengers.

MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u said four repatriation flights are also scheduled for July 7, 14, 21 and 28.

He said three repatriation flights arrived last week with stranded passengers, including frontliners, government officials, experts, students and seasonal workers from Australia and New Zealand.

There were 90 passengers from Australia, 274 from New Zealand, and another 27 from Fiji who came on Lulutai Airlines.

The repatriated passengers from last week’s flights were quarantined at Tanoa International Dateline Hotel, Kupesi Tonga Hotel and Makeke Camp for five-days. 

There were also other passengers that were home quarantined after being approved by the CEO for Health Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola.

At the same time, a team from MEIDECC’s Department of Communications also installed access points to facilitate internet connection at Kupesi Tonga Hotel and Makeke Camp for the repatriates.

The Ministry of Health continues to manage the managed quarantined isolation (MIQs) together with frontliners, including His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Tonga Police and Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Reynold ‘Ofanoa.

Since July 2020, 58 repatriation flights have arrived in Tonga with more than 5,468 passengers from New Zealand, Australia, eight Pacific Island countries, as well as other countries transiting via New Zealand or Fiji, said the CEO.

As of 19 June, more than 3,000 people from 36 countries have registered on the Tongan government’s online Repatriation Registry.

Travelers wishing to return to Tonga must register via https://citizensregistration.gov.to [2].