Results for Tonga

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.

The Chinese Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr Cao Xiaolin presented USD$200,000 to Prime Minister Hon. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa to help Tonga’s preparedness and response to CoViD-19 today, 30 March.

Tonga's national lockdown starting at 1:00am this morning, means that everyone must stay at home except for essential services. In Nuku'alofa church gates are locked, and the streets are empty and peaceful, in a coronavirus preventative measure that will be in force for at least one week.

Tonga does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, after test results on the country's recent two suspected cases, came back negative from Australia today, March 27. The Minister of Health said vigilance and preventative measures need to continue to strengthen Tonga's response to the global pandemic at this critical time.

Seventy-six passengers who were on the last Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Tongatapu on 18 March, had to overnight in Fiji, when the plane could not land because the landing lights were out at Fua’amotu International Airport. They were required to self-quarantine in Tonga until April 2 under the new travel advisory. Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said today “it is better to overprescribe the quarantine requirements than be sorry later.”

It is vitally important that all Tongans take preventative measures to curb the spread of CoViD-19 and respect WHO guidelines, King Tupou VI told the Tongan Legislative Assembly today, in a message read for the closing of the House.