Results for coronavirus

Tonga's Health officials are urging sick people, including Tongans, who are planning to visit Tonga, to stay away while they are ill. The plea comes after a 21-year-old Tongan woman travelled while sick with the flu from Sydney to Tonga on Monday, 2 March, and is now suspected of having COVID-19.

HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita thanked the Chinese Government for its efforts in helping 51 Tongan athletes return from China to Tonga via a third country following the coronavirus outbreak.

While no cases of coronavirus have been identified in Tonga, the country has raised its alert level from high to very high, in a fourth travel advisory issued today, aimed at preventing the virus from entering the country.

Air New Zealand has cut down on its Auckland-Apia weekly services from six to three effective today, 2 March, after receiving a directive for all airlines by the Samoan Government.

Our Western Pacific region is at a critical juncture in the novel coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) outbreak, says Dr Takeshi Kasai, WHO regional director, who warns that health care facilities in our region could rapidly become overwhelmed, with even a relatively small number of COVID-19 cases. “No case has been confirmed in the [Western] Pacific...the objective should be to keep it that way,” he says, while advising countries to intensify preparedness for wider community transmission of the virus.

A traveller from China who was on board an international flight from New Zealand was denied entry to Fua’amotu International Airport on February 13 for failing to comply with a 14 days quarantine requirement at the last port of entry.

The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide has climbed to 40,235 in China and 909 deaths as at 10 February, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). No update has been provided by the Tonga Government on the Tongan students and sports athletes currently in China, since its travel advisory on 5 February. Meanwhile, residents in Tonga's Vava'u Group are worried that cruise ships are arriving directly from overseas at this time.

Four sports teams consisting of 40 plus teens and officials are stranded in China after their flight to Hong Kong got cancelled, due to the rising outbreak of the novel coronavirus that has caused major airlines to suspend flights.

A health team was stationed today at Fua'amotu International Airport to monitor all incoming passengers, as Tonga takes precaution in response to the coronavirus outbreak in China. A Tongan sports teams, currently in China are reported to be safe and well, and will return to Tonga next week.