26th March 2020 Following the Declaration of a State of Emergency made by the Honourable Prime Minister on the afternoon of Friday 20th March 2020, declaring a month-long state of Emergency for Tonga due to the rapid increase of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases worldwide and its continuing increase in the Pacific Region, this is an official Press Release from the Ministry of Tourism regarding the upcoming Heilala Festival Program for this year, 2020.
The Government of Tonga has announced current restrictions put in place included public gatherings, practicing of social distancing, major events including concerts and other events has been banned. As such and due to the unfortunate circumstances and to comply with the current emergency status, the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Tonga Tourism Association have decided to postpone the Annual Heilala Festival Program for 2020 until further notice.
The decision made to postpone the Heilala Festival Program 2020 will apply to all events scheduled to take place in June – July 2020 for the Heilala Festival in Tongatapu as well as the pre-Heilala Festivals that were scheduled for the Outer islands of Vava‘u, Ha‘apai and ‘Eua in May 2020.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Tonga Tourism Association apologizes to all parties involved in the logistical preparation of the annual festival and all events associated with them, and do hope to reschedule this important Annual Event at a later time and to be advice when confirmed.
The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Tonga Tourism Association has taken into account the serious nature of the COVID-19 and its affect across the world and the Pacific Region.
ENDS
For further clarification or information, please contact the office of the Ministry of Tourism at +676 25334 or email: moalamafi@gmail.com