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Open Border Policy Framework for Tonga

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Open Border Policy Framework for Tonga

1. The Tonga borders will open on 1st August, 2022 and to be reviewed in September, 2022.

2. The number of incoming flights to Tonga will be limited to 2 per week from New Zealand from 1-28 August, 2 per week from Fiji and 1 from Australia in August and will increase to 3 flights from New Zealand per week starting 29 August until 31 October, where there will be 6 flights per week from New Zealand. Further review of the number of flights and cruiseliners (watercrafts) for September and October 2022 will be at the discretion of the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC).

3. All travelers aged 12 years and above are required to be fully vaccinated with the prescribed 2 doses before entry into Tonga;

4. Travel insurance is advisable for all foreign visitors. This can be purchased when booking your ticket. Confirmation of hotel booking or accommodation in Tonga must be sent 48 hours ahead to travel@health.gov.to and again be shown at check in;

5. A legitimate vaccine certificate is required for check-in. All travelers must submit this 48 hours prior to departure to travel@health.gov.to;

6. A hard copy of the vaccine certificate must be presented at check in and upon arrival into Tonga for sighting. Electronic documents on phone or other electronic devices including email are acceptable.

Passengers with medical conditions that deem themselves exempt from Vaccination must email travel@health.gov.to at least 48 hours before departure with a written report from a registered medical officer stating reasons for exemptions.

The Ministry of Health reserves the right to deny boarding if it is not satisfied with the medical report provided.

7. Testing Requirement:

Supervised Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) negative result within 24 hours of departure from originating airport for all passengers. The test result must have the testing laboratory or Clinic letterhead and stamp. Results can be sent by email prior to travel@health.gov.to. The lab result must be presented in hardcopy at check in.

All passengers exiting airports that they transit through must repeat a supervised RAT test before checking in again if they leave the secure area and are transiting for more than 24 hours.

Failure to provide a legitimate vaccination certificate and required NEGATIVE COVID-19 test will result in No BOARDING or Denied Entry.

Citizens who have not completed their vaccination but wishing to return to Tonga must complete and pay 5-days quarantine (or longer if Positive) at a Government designated Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facility upon arrival. This must be communicated via email to travel@health.gov.to prior to booking. This is subject to review in October.

All travelers are encouraged to have their booster dose completed before travelling to Tonga.

8. On Arrival into TONGA:

a. All passengers must wear a face mask at all times;

b. Those picking up passengers at Fua'amotu International Airport must wear a mask at all times.

c. All passengers must fill in the Health Arrival Declaration Form inflight and provide a valid phone number and email or Facebook address;

d. All passengers arriving into Tonga are strongly encouraged to download and activate the Tonga 'Atautolu contact tracing app;

e. All passengers arriving into Tonga are strongly encouraged to take precautionary and preventative measures (wear a mask in public places, social distance, practice good hand hygiene) and comply with the current National COVID-19 Traffic Light Framework and Restrictions Directions;

f. A passenger that leaves to the outer islands within 3-5 days of arrival in Tonga without a PCR test done will still be required to have a COVID-19 test within day 3-5 of arrival in Tonga, at the outer islands. A supervised RAT test at either an approved pharmacy or MOH health center/hospital is acceptable in such situation.

g. All passengers are to arrange and have a supervised PCR test done at an approved Health Centre in their area of residence (refer to Annex 1 of approved list) or Vaiola Hospital on Day 3 to Day 5 of arrival and report the result to the Ministry of Health via email address travel@health.gov.to or by calling 0800933. Self-testing at home is NOT acceptable.

h. Any passenger with a Positive test result must self/home isolate for 5 days from the date of testing positive. If passenger is still symptomatic, self/home isolation will be extended for another 3 days. Recovering passengers must wear a face mask for the next 5 days upon release.

NOTE: All documents must be in ENGLISH. The use of any other language will result in Denied Boarding.

Flight crew are to comply with their approved Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs)*

All other travelers entering Tonga must comply with all requirements noted herewith.

Your compliance with the conditions listed is important to ensuring the safety of all travelers and our people.

The Ministry of Heath appreciates your full cooperation and patience. We look forward to your support and trust you will help so that we can continue to keep Tonga safe.

This press release was sourced from Tonga Government on 25-Jul-2022.