Tonga: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions May 4 /update 8

Event

On Monday, May 4, Tongan authorities announced an easing of restrictions introduced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Restrictions that limited gatherings to 20 people indoors and 40 outdoors will be lifted for religious services and educational events. Gyms and sports events, except for contact sports, as well as birthday celebrations and weddings, are now permitted. Nightclubs and bars are also allowed to reopen on Fridays and Saturdays between 05:00 and 21:00 (local time). An overnight curfew between 21:00 and 05:00 remains in place. All borders remain closed until Tuesday, June 12, except for humanitarian and repatriation flights.

As of late April, police forces have arrested nearly 600 people for violating restrictions during the state of emergency, which has been extended until Friday, May 15. Individuals were arrested for either breaching lockdown measures or obstructing officers from enforcing the restrictions.

To-date, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay. 

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.