World

Tonga’s main island locks down after 1st virus case found

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND —
Tonga’s foremost island will go into lockdown for per week after the South Pacific nation reported its first case of the coronavirus, the federal government mentioned Monday.

The far-flung archipelago recognized its first virus case final week, after a traveler arriving from New Zealand examined constructive and remoted at a quarantine lodge.

Tonga’s Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa mentioned the lockdown would start simply after midnight on Tuesday and apply solely to the island of Tongatapu, the place a majority of the inhabitants reside.

The nation’s Cupboard ordered the transfer to “guarantee the protection and well being of our folks,” information web site Matangi Tonga reported.

The lockdown will imply colleges, bars and eating places will probably be closed, and nighttime curfews imposed. Individuals will probably be required to isolate at house until they’re shopping for groceries or medication, getting medical assist, or accessing banking companies.

Information of the case has prompted a whole bunch of Tongans to line up at vaccination websites across the nation. About 31% of Tongans are totally vaccinated and 48% have had no less than one dose, based on analysis group Our World in Knowledge.

The contaminated traveler was amongst 215 passengers who arrived on a flight from Christchurch on Wednesday.

Christchurch had been free from the virus for months till final week, when a number of neighborhood instances have been reported.

New Zealand well being officers mentioned the traveler to Tonga was totally vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine and had returned a adverse take a look at earlier than leaving for Tonga.

Tonga is among the many few remaining nations on the earth which have prevented outbreaks of the virus as a result of its isolation.

The close by nation of Fiji prevented important outbreaks till April, when the delta variant ripped via the island chain, infecting greater than 50,000 folks and killing no less than 673.

Tonga’s frontline staff — together with well being employees, law enforcement officials and airport employees — who have been on responsibility when the aircraft arrived had additionally been put into quarantine.

Positioned northeast of New Zealand, Tonga is house to about 106,000 folks.

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