COVID-19

Simon Birmingham said the decision to shut the border was one of the main reasons for Australia's success in suppressing COVID-19 and it would not be lifted for general travel any time soon.

"I do sadly think that in terms of open tourist-related travel in or out of Australia, that remains quite some distance off," Senator Birmingham told the National Press Club.

"Just because of the practicalities of the volumes that are involved and the need for us to first and foremost keep putting health first."

Although the Pacific has largely been spared by the spread of the disease relative to other regions around the world – with Fiji hardest hit of the six countries the UN Women’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls programme works in, at 18 confirmed cases – all of which have since been cleared, and several countries without a recorded a case so far – the economic and social consequences have been deep.

Fifty nursing students yesterday played the part of the first 50 Tongan citizens the government hopes to repatriate in July.

For the drill, the students were met on the tarmac at Fua'motu Airport by health officials and police, who guided them to the terminal for the quarantine inspection process.

While observing social distancing protocols, the students retrieved their luggage before being put on buses, which were escorted by police to the quarantine facility at Nuku'alofa's Tanoa hotel.

Raymond Gary Coombs was charged with offensive behaviour over the incident at Fresh Choice in Barrington, on 6 April.

He appeared in Christchurch District Court this morning.

The 38-year-old was also ordered to pay $150 in court costs.

Judge Raoul Neave said it was hard to imagine a more serious example of offensive behaviour.

Coombs was also sentenced today to 16 months in prison for two driving charges but may be able to serve it as home detention.

The New Zealand Government said an action plan launched today shows its commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of Pacifika in this country.

Associate Health Minister, Jenny Salesa, said "Ola Manuia - the Pacific Health and Wellbeing Action Plan for 2020-2025 - is about driving more effective and equitable health outcomes."

She said Pacific peoples are consistently over-represented across all the vulnerability indicators for health and wellbeing.

Professor Murphy praised Tonga’s efforts to keep the island nation COVID-19 free and pledged Australia’s continued support for Tonga’s health preparedness, including by sharing expert health advice.

“I am pleased to hear there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tonga to date and applaud Tonga’s efforts to prevent the spread of the virus,” Professor Murphy said.

Professor Murphy also congratulated the Minister on her appointment to the WHO Executive Board, in recognition of her leadership.

Things will be just about back to normal for Kiwis after the move to level 1, with social distancing no longer required and no more limits on gatherings - but the border will remain closed to non-New Zealanders.

Hospitality providers will no longer have to ensure guests are seated and only served by one waiter, and night clubs will be able to fully open, with the Government hoping to control any potential future outbreaks with contact tracing.

The Regional Director for Environment Programs at The Asia Foundation, Kim DeRidder, says with humans indoors, deer and monkeys are venturing out to explore Asia’s now empty urban jungles, songbirds are heard in cities and great leatherback turtles are laying eggs on Phuket beaches in record numbers.

“But is COVID-19 really a boon for the environment?  The jury is still out. While greenhouse gas emissions are significantly down, both China and the United States are already relaxing emission controls to ease economic pressures,” DeRidder states.

Some Pacific countries are considering opening borders for repatriation and commercial flights.

The Ministry notes that requests for COVID-19 testing and quarantine for Pacific residents such as regional seasonal employment workers are being received by some District Health Boards and primary care providers.

The Ministry says it's working to ensure there's a consistent approach nationally that considers the risk of coronavirus as well as the health and welfare of Pacific peoples looking to return home.

Australia will provide $5.5 million to the World Food Programme to manage COViD-19 in the region, with $4 million going towards air transport and logistics services for the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway.

This includes the delivery of humanitarian and critical medical supplies, including Personal Protective Equipment, and assessments of the impact of COViD-19 on food security in the Pacific.