Results for Health

A repatriation flight for Tongans who have been stranded in Fiji, is now scheduled to arrive in Tonga on Saturday, with up to 60 passengers. But questions remain over Tonga's policy that requires passengers to have CoVid-19 testing done in Fiji before they board the flight.

A few tests performed to ensure Tonga’s CoViD-19 machines are working, came back negative, confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola.

The Tongan government is chartering a Fiji Airways ATR72 aircraft to repatriate 58 Tongans who have been stranded in Fiji since Tonga locked down its border on 23 March 2020. They aim to bring them home on Thursday July 9.

Although Tonga remains CoViD-19 free, the Minister of Health told a WHO Global Forum that government expects the CoVid-19 virus to come into Tonga when the border reopens. She said Tonga is doing its very best to prepare for that.

Tests for CoViD-19 can now be processed in Tonga in a new laboratory extension which was officially opened today by the Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa at Vaiola Hospital in Tongatapu. By Eleanor Gee.

Tonga has extended its State of Emergency for another month, from 8:00pm 11 June until 8:00pm 8 July, the Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa declared this afternoon. In addition, the CoViD-19 restrictions have been extended from 8:00pm 11 June to 8:00pm 8 July. The night curfew now starts an hour later at 12:00am to 5:00am, with mass gatherings still limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

A pallet of sweet smelling, vanilla infused hand sanitizers made by Heilala Vanilla in New Zealand, were donated to Vaiola Hospital today, 27 May, to assist in keeping Tonga safe from CoViD-19. Vanilla extract made by the company from Tongan grown vanilla has similar common ingredients as sanitizer—ethanol and glycerin, and they were able to make the new products.

Medical supplies from China, including infrared thermometers, personal protective equipment, and hand sanitizer gels, were donated to the Ministry of Health on May 19, at Vaiola Hospital, to help Tonga prepare for CoViD-19.

Tonga’s State of Emergency that was due to end today at 8:00pm 17 May has been extended until 8.00pm 11 June 2020, the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa declared this afternoon 15 May 2020. The night curfew now starts at 10:00pm. Gyms and sporting events are permitted and some other restrictions have been eased, while the border remains closed.