Australia

This is after Australia provided a further AUD$5 million.

The funding is part of Australia’s AUD$304.7 million Pacific COVID-19 Response Package, targeting Tonga’s tourism, agriculture, fisheries, retail and wholesale, and manufacturing industries.

Funding will be directed to Tonga’s COVID-19 Business Recovery Assistance Program, delivered by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) and the Ministry of Finance.

In June, Australia donated AUD$12.05m to Tonga to help overcome the economic impacts of COVID-19.

In a statement, Tongan officials said the Australian Government was looking into using another airport to enable travel between Australia and Tonga, due to the situation in Brisbane.

Matangi Tonga online said the authorities were hoping for no more delays to repatriation flights after this postponement.

The New Zealand government was looking into the possibility of allowing one-way quarantine free travel for passengers arriving from Tonga, Samoa, and Vanuatu, possibly starting in September, Tonga confirmed.

A further AUD 5 million has been directed to support Tonga’s COVID-19 Business Recovery Assistance Program, which aims to improve the well-being and living standards of Tongans in the formal and informal business sectors.

This funding is part of the Australian Government’s AUD 304.7 million Pacific COVID-19 Response Package, specifically targeting Tonga’s tourism, agriculture, fisheries, retail and wholesale, and manufacturing industries.

Yesterday’s consignment of 10,000 doses enables Tonga to offer comprehensive coverage for Tongatapu, and the outer islands of Ha’apai and the Niuas.

Australia has committed to providing 45,000 Australian-made AstraZeneca vaccines to Tonga this year.

This supports efforts of an international coalition in Tonga including Australia and Japan that is ensuring comprehensive national vaccine coverage by the end of 2021.

The shipment follows the 9,000 Australian-manufactured doses which arrived on 20 July for the people of Vava’u.

The equipment was gifted to NRBT on behalf of Australia’s Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), who are currently conducting a number of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism capacity building initiatives to Financial Intelligence Units in the Pacific Region.

The video conferencing kit includes a laptop, software and other equipment

Photo supplied      

Since March last year, the country has banned its citizens from leaving the country as part of its COVID strategy.

That restriction has not previously applied to Australians who usually live in other countries.

But they will now need to apply for an exemption for outbound travel - in line with rules for other Australians.

Australia's tough border rules have been controversial. Critics say this change - in effect from 11 August - will further punish families and deter citizens from returning.

The course was delivered over a five week period.

Course topics included traveller risk assessment, document examination, facial image comparison, human trafficking and people smuggling, Pacific border risks and a COVID-19 Safe Guide.

It is a historical moment for the Fijiana as they’re now in contention for a medal.

The side will meet New Zealand in the semifinal at 2pm (Fiji Time) today.

Aloesi Nakoci struck first after two minutes following some patient buildup up for a 7-nil lead.

Fiji went to a 14-nil lead when Ana Maria Naimasi sliced through the Australian defense to dot down between the sticks.

However, the Fijiana was reduced to six players when Vasiti Solikoviti was sent off for a high tackle.

The trans-Tasman travel bubble is paused for at least eight weeks as the Delta variant continues to spread.

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran told Morning Report the airline would do everything to help New Zealanders wanting to return this week from Australia.

"Trust us," he said.

"We have seen plenty of people reach out over the weekend. We've got about 7500 people booked to return to New Zealand through to midnight this Friday."

James O’Connor’s groin injury will prevent the No 10 travelling to New Zealand and with border restrictions set to play havoc with the Wallabies’ upcoming test campaign, Rennie has done the unthinkable by bringing back the 70-test playmaker back into an Australian squad.

Cooper, who recently revealed he has had his application for Australian citizenship turned down four times, will travel to New Zealand with the rest of the team on Friday.