Lockdown extended

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said the lockdown will be effective until 2 April, 2022 and remain in the Red colour status.

The current spike in positive cases in the last four days, averaging around 300 cases daily, and the pressure that has on the Ministry of Health services, are key factors in Cabinet’s decision to continue with the lockdown.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni said during a press conference yesterday afternoon the lockdown was extended for another two weeks for Tongatapu and Vava’u only.

Kaniva News reports this meant, all restrictions have been lifted for Ha’apai, ‘Eua and the Niuas.

The Tongatapu and Vava’u lockdown was eased on Tuesdays and Fridays to allow shops, gas stations and banks to open to the public.

Customers were urged to wear face coverings and keeping two metres apart. 

Booster shots

The decision was announced after talks involving medical experts, the French High Commission, the government and the customary Senate.

The extension was the second time that a week had been added to the original lockdown declared on 19 March.

From 20 April the emergency measures will be changed, with details of what will be eased to be announced in the course of next week.

The customary Senate had been in favour of extending the restrictions for longer while some leaders in the mainly Kanak Loyalty Islands province asked for the terms of confinement to be relaxed.