SPECIAL TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR TRAVELERS REPATRIATED TO TONGA

PROTECTION AGAINST NOVEL CORONAVIRUS IMPORTATION INTO TONGA

The Ministry of Health hereby issues this Special Travel Advisory in anticipation of the repatriation of Tongan citizens. 

The Ministry of Health is seriously concerned about the high risk of importation of COVID-19 into Tonga due to the significant health impacts it will have. There is a very high risk of an outbreak that has the potential to cause huge economic loss to the country. The country alert level therefore remains at “high” to “very high” according to WHO Risk Assessment. 

In exercise of the powers stipulated under the Public Health Act, the following travel advisory is issued and shall apply to all repatriation flights into the Kingdom of Tonga. 

1. Only Tongan passport holders, valid residency visa holders, valid working visa holders, and international travelers as approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be boarded on such flights and granted entry into Tonga.
2. All travelers are required to have undertaken a COVID-19 test and a Medical Report done within three (3) days before Arrival in Tonga.
3. All travelers shall complete the Traveler’s Arrival Health Declaration Card and provide it to the Ministry of Health Border Control Team upon request.
4. Any travelers may be denied boarding on such flights if they have a positive COVID-19 test or have not taken a COVID19 test or they have any of the following symptoms:

• • Cough
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Flu-like symptoms

5. All travelers shall be quarantined for 21 days upon arrival at a designated or preapproved location.
6. All travelers shall ensure to bring their own personal hygiene items enough to last for 21 days of quarantine.
7. All travelers shall be limited to 1 piece of cabin luggage and 1 piece of check in luggage when boarding.
8. All travelers shall not be permitted to bring or carry additional packages on behalf of another.
9. All travelers shall not be permitted to bring or carry alcohol on such flights.
10. All travelers, prior to departure, shall ensure to inform the Ministry of Health of any known medical conditions and such medication enough to last 2 months.
11. All travelers, prior to departure, shall ensure to inform the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
12. All travelers shall maintain social distancing during such flights including the wearing of a face mask at all times.

 13. Any airlines operating such flights into Tonga are advised not to allow boarding of any passenger with symptoms of COVID-19 and shall report to the Ministry of Health the presence of any sick person on board as per requirements under the International Health Regulations (2005).