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.
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Results for Health
Sunday 29 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
Friday 27 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
Friday 27 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga will undergo a national Lockdown from 1am Sunday 29 March, to 1am Sunday 5 April, the Prime Minister, Hon. Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu’I’onetoa announced yesterday evening 26 March in a Press Conference at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre.
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Thursday 26 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Ministry of Health has negated public concerns that Tongans had returned to the Kingdom from New Zealand after attending a Mt Roskill event with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Monday 23 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two weeks without incoming commercial passenger flights to Tonga will give the government valuable time to set up essential measures, including equipment for testing in country for CoViD-19 and protective clothing for health workers, and to train more people for the response to the pandemic, which could hugely impact Tonga.
Friday 20 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has declared a month-long State of Emergency in Tonga aimed at CoViD-19 prevention stating that the disease “is imminent and will endanger or threaten.. the lives of people in Tonga.”. Starting today at 8:00 pm: Foreign nationals are banned from entering Tonga; Tongan nationals must be quarantined for 14-days upon arrival; public gatherings are restricted; big events including funerals are banned; bars will be closed and other measures are being taken.
Wednesday 18 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Australian Government today issued a global advice to citizens travelling abroad to consider returning home. This is the country's highest alert level 4. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has today told 80,000 Kiwis travelling overseas to get home now - before it's too late.
Tuesday 17 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
While no cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Tonga, tougher measures for incoming travellers were imposed today, in a fifth advisory aimed at preventing the virus from entering the country. It includes strict quarantine requirements for travellers through or from some affected countries, while all international cruise ships and yachts scheduled to arrive in Tonga are now barred indefinitely. By Eleanor Gee.
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Monday 16 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The World Health Organization reported last night that COVID-19 had reached nine new countries/territories/areas, seven in the African Region, one in the European Region and one in the Region of Americas, during the previous 24 hours..
Friday 13 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has declared a Public Health Emergency Order to be prepared to fight COVID-19. Two declarations announced by the Prime Minister this afternoon, give more power to the Ministry of Health to contain COVID-19. The CEO of Health said today they have limited intensive care capacity “I think as a Ministry we have to prepare for more difficult scenario,” he said, but Tonga’s small size is an advantage where it is easier to contain.
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Thursday 12 March 2020
Geneva, Switzerland
COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 11 March, due to the rising number of confirmed people with COVID-19 around the world and the increase in deaths.
Wednesday 11 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga does not have any cases of coronavirus COVID-19 the Vaiola Hospital confirmed this evening. A doctor said that the second test on a person with pneumonia that was sent to New Zealand on Saturday had returned a negative result today.
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Monday 9 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A second and final batch of samples taken from a suspected COVID-19 case in Tonga on Saturday has been sent to New Zealand for testing. This is after the first test, sent to Australia last week was found to be negative.
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Saturday 7 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Samples, taken from a suspected coronavirus COVID-19 case in Tonga this week, arrived in Australia yesterday and are on their way to a Melbourne laboratory for testing.
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Friday 6 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Thursday 5 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
More than 10 suspected COVID-19 cases across the Pacific who have had samples tested have come back negative confirmed Dr Yutaro Setoya from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Tonga. This does not include Tonga's suspected COVID-19 case sample, which is still being tested.
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Wednesday 4 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 21-year-old Tongan woman who returned from Sydney on Monday, March 2 is Tonga’s first suspected case of coronavirus (COVID-19). Samples are being sent to New Zealand for confirmation, and that may take three days.
Wednesday 4 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When Dr Duke Mataka became Tonga’s Ophthalmologist in 2018, he filled a post that had been vacant for a decade following the departure of Dr Afu Taumoepeau. Last year alone they carried out 500 operations, mainly cataract treatments.
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Tuesday 3 March 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.