TONGAN IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by sections 37 and 39 of the Emergency Management Act [Cap 7.02] and in recognition of –
A the declaration made by the World Health Organization of Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a global pandemic which is accelerating;
B the Declaration of a Public Health Emergency (COVID-19) Regulations 2020, as amended, unless further extended under section 167 of the Public Health Act [Cap 12.15] and the Declaration of an Emergency Notifiable Condition dated 11 March 2021 and the effort to prevent or minimize the spread of the COVID-19 within the Kingdom of Tonga; and
C the Renewal of a State of Emergency dated 5 July 2021.
The Commissioner of the Tonga Police and the Chief of Defence Staff of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, as authorized officers under section 36(2) of the Emergency Management Act 2007, hereby makes the following Directions –
(1) These Directions shall be effective from 8:00pm, Monday 5 July 2021 to 8:00pm, Monday 2 August 2021 and shall apply to the areas specified in the Renewal of the Declaration of a State of Emergency dated 5 July 2021, unless further renewed.
(2) For the purposes of these Directions, unless the context requires otherwise –
“authorized officers” means any person or class of persons authorized in accordance with section 36 of the Emergency Management Act 2007 and any person or class of persons designated under sections 177 and 178 of the Public Health Act 2008;
“protective clothing” means any clothing which includes a handkerchief, gloves, garments or equipment designed to minimize the risk of an infection;
“mass gatherings” means any gathering not exceeding a total of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors in any gatherings except for religious services and education institutions; and
“social distancing” means keeping 1.5 meters distance from any other person at all times.
(3) Night-time curfews shall apply from 12:00 midnight to 5:00am.
(4) The night-time curfew shall be enforced by the Tonga Police, His Majesty’s Armed Forces and relevant authorized officers.
(5) All activities and gatherings in Tonga shall –
(a) not exceed the maximum number defined as mass gathering;
(b) comply with social distancing; and
(c) comply with the Ministry of Health requirements for sanitation and hygiene.
(6) Funeral gatherings shall be restricted to a total of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors with an authorized officer to be present throughout.
(7) Tonga Police and His Majesty’s Armed Forces and any authorized officers for the purposes of securing public safety and maintenance of public health shall have the power to enforce these Directions.
(8) All persons shall observe and promote social distancing at all times and shall use protective clothing where possible.
(9) All persons shall observe personal hand hygiene and shall follow all Public Health Advisories issued by the Ministry of Health in relation to COVID-19.
(10) All provisions of these Directions shall apply to all persons.
