Tonga’s border fully re-opened on 27 September, 2022, with the only requirement being for foreign adults to provide proof of vaccination and have a vaccine pass to demonstrate this. Anyone unvaccinated must have a medical exemption and provide this to the Ministry of Health, prior to their departure for Tonga.

Joe Caesar from The Boatyard Vava’u confirmed that yachts are also now welcome to enter the Kingdom of Tonga.

“Hopefully we’ll see some late season arrivals, but we’re all just relieved we can crack on again,” he said.

Green Light Level

The Acting Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, with the CEO of Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola and MEIDECC CEO, Paula Ma’u, declared Tonga at a “green light level’ and the national night-time curfew lifted.

Dr ‘Akau’ola said Tonga has only a few COVID-19 cases and the second wave of BA5 has exceedingly decreased, with the number of deaths from COVID-19 remaining at 12.

“There is no threat to our health service and care, Tonga has a satisfactory level to return to normal. This is also the trend globally, as other countries have also returned to normal due to the downward trend of their COVID-19 cases.”

He said that the Ministry of Health made the recommendation to return to green to the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC), who in return made the submission and approved by Cabinet last week. 

Back to Normal for Air and Sea Entry

“Operations of all airlines and sea entry via cruise ships or yachts, have returned to normal procedures and will resume on their own, without any health orders applied,” said Dr. ‘Akau’ola.

These approved conventions will allow all Tongans, foreigners and transit passengers traveling to Tonga to enter the country, without the mandatory COVID pre-departure testing. The mandatory testing to be carried out within three to five days, upon arrival is also lifted.

“The only significant requirement that remains is that foreigners (12-years and over) are still required to show their vaccination card at check in before boarding, same with cruise ships, etc.

“Wearing masks, social distancing, hand washing, etc. are encouraged but not mandatory.”

At the same time, foreigners who are medically permitted not to get vaccinated, but wish to enter the country, will need to provide medical documents to the Ministry of Health in order to be permitted to travel.

“Furthermore, businesses wishing to remain enforcing their own COVID policies, such as wearing masks for staff and customers can continue to do so. Before, the health requirements were mandatory, now they are just encouraged,” he said.

Vaiola Hospital staff will continue to perform covid-19 tests at the hospital for people showing signs of flu-like symptoms, if they come in with those symptoms.

In addition, anyone testing positive upon confirmed COVID-19 test, will still need to self-isolate in their homes for five-days.

State of Emergency ends 

Meanwhile, Tonga’s two national States of Emergency have ended.

 MEIDECC CEO, Paula Ma’u said the two States of Emergency had completed its course and were not renewed.

“The State of Emergency for COVID-19, which has been ongoing for two-years and six-months is complete. The State of Emergency for Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai (HTHH) was also completed on 25 September.”

At the same time, the night-time curfew (Restriction of Directions) has been completely lifted and the curfew no longer enforced.

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Noonsite thanks Greg Just from Cafe Tropicana in Vava’u and Joe Caesar from The Boatyard Vava’u for their assistance in providing this update.