11th March, 2022 TONGAN Government confirmed today that Form 6 and 7 students in Vava’u and Tongatapu will return to school on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, with the Honourable Prime Minister stressing government’s policy that only fully vaccinated teachers will be allowed to teach in schools.
The Hon Prime Minister, who is also Minister for Education and Training, made the statement at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ conference room this afternoon.
Hon. Hu’akavameiliku stated school management will need to ensure that all Health protocols are followed strictly for the safety of teachers and students.
Schools will be given Monday and Tuesday next week to prepare for the return to school and stated this was the only change to the current COVID-19 restrictions.
Curfew remains from 8pm to 5am for Tongatapu and Vava’u.
Recovery phase
As part of government’s plan to return Tonga to normalcy Hon. Hu’akavameiliku today presented 30 tractors and ploughs donated by the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to People’s Representatives in Parliament, school management reps and other recipients.
Government hopes the tractors and ploughs will assist members of the public in farming their land so they are also able to start planting root-crops for their basic needs, following January 15 Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruptions and tsunami.
“Government’s focus has shifted from immediate response to recovery, so that everyone can start returning to what they used to do and enjoy before January 15.
China’s Ambassador to Tonga His Excellency Cao Xaolin said they hope the donation would help in government’s recovery plan.
Another important part of the recovery plan is the rebuilding program for damaged houses, which had started in Patangata, Sopu and ‘Ahau here on Tongatapu.
The Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said building of homes will rely a lot on the confirmation of land titles before reconstruction can start.
Health update
Government confirmed today a total of 442 recoveries and 940 active cases.
Minister for Health Hon. Dr. Saia Piukala confirmed there were 39 positive cases reported following tests carried out on repatriated passengers from New Zealand and Australia.
Specimens have been sent to New Zealand for confirmation of variant.
Two hotspots in Sia’atoutai, with 34 cases, and Hu’atolitoli Prison with 55 new cases.
National vaccination rates currently stand at 97% for first dose, 89% for second dose and 41% for the Booster dose.
Hon Dr Piukala confirmed that the people of Nomuka, Fonoifua and Tungua have received booster shots this week.
This was made possible with the assistance of the Australia Defense Force (ADF) which provided trips to the island for the Ministry of Health team.
Hon. Dr. Piukala also confirmed there was a death of a positive case, with premedical conditions.
Repatriation flights
Samoa flight postponed while government of Samoa reviews Tonga’s request for repatriation fight from there to Nuku’alofa.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is liaising with the Government of Samoa on the issue.
Inter-island travel
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Poasi Tei stated that members of the public wanting to travel from Nuku’alofa to ‘Eua and Ha’apai next Wednesday, will need to register with the Ministry of Health and follow all health preventative measures.
ENDS
Issued by: The Prime Minister’s Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Tel: (676) 7401351 Fax: (676) 23 888; For media enquiries- Email: pressroom@pmo.gov.to Website: www.pmo.gov.to