Tonga has recorded its first ever Covid case, after going nearly two years without the virus making it to the country.
The island nation closed its borders to international travellers at the beginning of the pandemic and had remained Covid-free ever since.
However, after a repatriation flight from New Zealand last Wednesday, a young Tongan missionary returning from Australia brought the country’s first ever case back.
The country of 100,000 people is now bracing for the worse, after having felt the economic impact of losing tourism since March 2020.
On Monday, the Tongan government confirmed that the number of people who were fully vaccinated nearly doubled, from around 35 per cent before the first case, to 62 per cent by Monday.
This was because 85 per cent of Tongans had received their first jab but many people who had not returned for their second jab now rushed to receive it.
Health minister Dr ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu, said: “There is definitely more urgency now to be vaccinated.
“When we found out we acted straight away and carried out the work we needed to do. The positive case was isolated and others have been monitored closely.
“I just spoke with our doctor in charge of our first Covid-19 case. They are courageous, caring, humble and respectful. They are doing their utmost best for our first case and all passengers.
“I also spoke to our first case and shared my love and compassion to him and his family.”
A seven-day lockdown covering the main island, Tongatapu, was announced, restricting public gatherings, and preventing work except essential services, to keep people at home.
Police and military will enforce a curfew between 8pm and 6am, with all bars, restaurants and non-essential businesses closed temporarily.
The 215 people onboard the flight with the infected passenger, as well as airport staff who were working when the plane came in, and health staff, are all in government-controlled quarantine.
When they announced the case on Friday, Prime Minister Hon Dr Rev Phiva Tuioneto’a said: “We ask that you do not panic, nor be afraid but that you stand together with us to carry out the duties given us.
“We pledge to do our best to continuously share correct and reliable information regarding the response.”
The Prime Minister also asked people not to spread information “that is untrue and misleading, as this will affect the trust and support needed for this important work”.
However, many people had already put themselves into lockdown ahead of the government’s announcement.
Ofa Gutteinbeil Likiliki, director of the Women and Children Crisis Centre in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga, told the Guardian: “My husband and I decided to get the two daughters [aged 14 and 15] vaccinated ASAP rather than wait for their scheduled school one.
“We also made a decision to go into voluntary lockdown immediately.
“I thought about my son who has asthma and wanted to get him out of school ASAP and my daughters who were at school.
“I was also shocked that government took some time to announce what was happening, especially after so much had been leaked on social media.”
President of the Medical Association of Tonga, Ramanlal Vallabh said: “I decided that the lockdown announced by government can come later, I’m locking down my family on Friday and I would urge people to lockdown at home, wear your masks and be safe.”
