Tonga Boarders

The country closed its border and order the cancellation of all inbound and outbound flights last month, in a bid to prevent Covid-19 entering.

Some exceptions on border entry have been made for repatriation and humanitarian flights.

The government yesterday decided that the border closure will be extended until mid-June.

However, restrictions on movement and gatherings in the kingdom have been relaxed, with schools reopening this week.

The ministry's CEO Siale 'Akau'ola told Matangi Tonga the country needed testing equipment and protective clothing for health workers.

Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa had declared the borders closed until 6 April to the stop the inflow of people into the country and to give Tonga time to put preventative measures into place.

However Dr 'Akau'ola said they need more time.

He also said establishing places of quarantine was important as sending people to secure places would be much better than telling them to "home isolate".