Tonga's midnight curfew has been eased to start at 1:00am to 5:00am as weekly flights to Tonga have increased, since the gradual re-opening of Tonga’s international border on 1 August. 

Two State of Emergencies have also been renewed.

Prime Minister Hon Hu’akvameiliku has renewed the declaration for a Public Health Emergency, effective from 29 August to 26 September.

In the Government Gazette Extraordinary, he stated it is clear that there is a rapid and continuous public health emergency in Tonga and it is still necessary for emergency powers to be exercised in order to prevent or minimize risk and the loss of human life to COVID-19 in Tonga.

The other emergency renewal is for the Declaration of a State of Emergency (Volcanic Eruption at Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai) effective on 28 August to 25 September.

The PM stated the renewal is still needed, due to the impact of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption that triggered tsunami waves on 15 January 2022, that caused loss of human life, illness and injury, loss and damage to property, and damage to the environment.

Curfew continues

Meanwhile, under the national COVID-19 restrictions, the night-time curfew will continue, with one hour less, to start at 1:00am to 5:00am, effective on 29 August.

The Ministry of Health also confirmed that the country’s COVID-19 traffic light remains at orange, in efforts to contain the community transmission of COVID in Tonga.

Flights increase

MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u said on 26 August that Air New Zealand had increased its weekly flights from two to three.

Other airlines also increased their weekly flights.

In October, Air New Zealand will increase flights to Tonga on weekdays, except Sunday to meet the demand of visitors, he said.