State of emergency

The governor's declaration which covers the entire territory is effective as of August 10, when the Emergency Operation Centers were activated by local authorities and follows Lemanu's site visit to Manu'a this week.

"The facts and evidence that have been gathered so far have supported a compelling reason to prioritise the protection of life and property," he said.

"By signing this Executive Order, I want to ensure that all local resources are made available to respond efficiently and effectively in case these eruptions worsen.

California, the nation's most populous state, has confirmed 827 monkeypox cases as of Monday, the second-largest state tally after the 1390 infections documented in New York, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The first case of monkeypox in the United States was confirmed in Massachusetts on 20 May, with the first case in California, in a person who had travelled abroad, confirmed five days later.

Monkeypox, which spreads through close physical contact, tends to cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions, though it is rarely fatal.

Panuelo has directed the National Task Force to assist Yap in emergency hiring of medical personnel and explore the possibility of bringing back the doctors and nurses.

Thirty-nine doctors and nurses resigned from the state hospital last week after their attempts to negotiate with state leaders were rejected.

Health care workers in Yap, who are paid lowest salaries in Micronesia, sought to negotiate a benefits package and pay raises.

The Health State of Emergency was first declared by Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa on 12 March, 2020 under the Emergency Management Act.

Since then, it has been renewed on a monthly basis enforced by the Ministry of Police and His Majesty's Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister stated that renewal for the emergency powers was still necessary so as to prevent the loss of human life due to the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 worldwide.

Meanwhile, restrictions remain with night time curfews in place from midnight to 5am.

The extension to the declaration was authorised by Prime Minister Pohiva Tui’i’onetoa yesterday.

According to the Government. COVID-19 continues to spread in countries close to Tonga.

The number of cases of the delta variant of COVID-19 has been increasing in Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.   

Travel from those countries into Tonga remain on hold.

Tonga remains COVID-19 free.

Photo file Caption: Prime Minister Pohiva Tui’i’onetoa 

It has now been in place since March 2020.

While there is no Covid-19 in Tonga limits on the population continue to apply, including a midnight to 5:00am curfew.

Limits on mass gatherings also still apply.

Officials were leaning toward an extension of the measures in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures beyond 11 May as the country battles a surge in Covid-19 cases, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Wednesday.

Extending the measures, which were imposed on 25 April, would likely fan persistent concerns about whether the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to begin on 23 July, can be held as planned.

The games have already been delayed once from last year due to the pandemic.

Matangi Tonga online says extension applies to all the land and sea areas of Tonga.

Directions under the renewed Covid national restrictions remains the same.

A night time curfew enforced by police continues from 12 midnight to 5:00am.

Mass gatherings are not to exceed a total of 50 people indoors, and 100 people outdoors, except for religious services and education institutions.

Funeral gatherings are also restricted to a total of 50 people indoors, and 100 people outdoors with an authorised officer to be present throughout.

A 20:00-06:00 curfew has been announced in the island city and will remain in effect for at least 72 hours.

Traffic restrictions are in place during the curfew, while businesses in the busy South Beach area must close.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said thousands of tourists had brought "chaos and disorder" to the city.

"It feels like a rock concert, wall-to-wall people over blocks and blocks," Mr Gelber told CNN. "If you're coming here to go crazy, go somewhere else."

Military TV said a state of emergency had been declared for one year and power transferred.

The coup comes after tensions rose between the civilian government and the military following a disputed election.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, was ruled by the military until democratic reforms began in 2011.

The military said on Monday it was handing power to commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing because of "election fraud". Soldiers are on the streets of the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, and the main city, Yangon.