Results for COVID-19

China's success in "flattening the curve" of the COVID-19 epidemic has been held up as a model for the rest of the world to emulate. But what the world really needs to understand is that "victory" required massive sacrifices by doctors, nurses, and other health workers whose names we will never know. The doctors and nurses on the front lines having lived through hell, see little to celebrate, much to mourn, and reason to remain fearful.

Tonga is one of 18 countries in the world that is CoViD-19 free as of today, 3 April, and 10 of these countries are located in the Pacific region.

A $60 million pa'anga economic and social stimulus package to counter the impact of CoViD-19 was announced by the Tongan government today, 2 April. The package will provide short-term financial assistance for all sectors of the Tongan economy. Tonga expects fiscal deficits of $35m 2020 and $54m in 2021.

The United Nations is calling for a $2.5 Trillion support package for developing countries to deal with the coronavirus shock. UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said the economic fallout from the shock is ongoing and increasingly difficult to predict but there are clear indications that things will get much worse for developing economies before they get better.

The organisers of the Expo 2020 Dubai, UAE, want to postpone the exposition for a year due to the CoViD-19 outbreak, but at least two thirds of the expo member states will have to agree. There are 192 countries involved in the Expo that was due to start in October 2020 and run for six months until April 2021.

The Health Centre in Mu'a is currently being upgraded to cater for people with symptoms of CoViD-19, confirmed the Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today, 31 March.

A special chartered flight arrived at Fua’amotu International Airport this afternoon, to pick up a group from the National Geographic network.

People who ventured out today, on the second day of Tonga's national lockdown, encountered checkpoints on main roads, manned by police officers and soldiers. Police said that while most people are compliant, a few who were obstructing police had been arrested. They are also investigating reports that funerals are being held with more than 20 people present.

Tonga will continue its diversion order for incoming flights during the week 29 March to 4 April 2020, to prevent the introduction or spread of CoViD-19. Scheduled flights by Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand and Talofa Airlines will not be permitted to land in Tonga.