Tonga: Entry restrictions to include travelers from Italy, Iran, and South Korea March 4 /update 1

Authorities implement new travel restrictions for travelers arriving from Italy, Iran, Daegu and Cheongdo (South Korea) on March 4; confirm travel itineraries
Read all related news alert(s):
Tonga: Authorities extend state of emergency until December 21 /update 16
Tonga: Authorities extend state of emergency until November 23 /update 15
Tonga: Authorities extend state of emergency until October 26 /update 14
Tonga: Authorities extend State of Emergency until September 28 /update 13
Tonga: Authorities extend State of Emergency until August 31 /update 12
Tonga: State of emergency extended until August 4 /update 11
Tonga: Authorities extend state of emergency until July 8 /update 10
Tonga: Authorities extend COVID-19 state of emergency until June 11 /update 9
Tonga: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions May 4 /update 8
Tonga: Authorities extend COVID-19 restrictions until May 1 /update 7
Tonga: Scores arrested for violating COVID-19 lockdown measures nationwide since March 29 /update 6
Tonga: Authorities extend border closure until June 12 /update 5
Tonga: Authorities extend restrictive COVID-19 measures until April 17 /update 4
Tonga: Nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 extended through April 12 /update 3
Tonga: Nationwide lockdown comes into effect March 29 /update 2
Tonga: Authorities implement new entry restrictions amid coronavirus outbreak February 3
Event
Tonga's Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday, March 4, that all travelers from China, Italy, Iran, and Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea will need to self-quarantine for 14 days in a country free from coronavirus (COVID-19). All foreign travelers will also be required to complete a health declaration form on arrival into Tonga. Travelers from the aforementioned countries will also need medical clearance from the last port of entry to confirm that they are free from respiratory illness before entering Tonga.
The Minister of Health also announced on March 4 that all international flights and vessels entering Tonga will use Tongatapu as the first port of entry for border screening, before continuing any travel to outer islands.
While no cases of the virus have been confirmed in Tonga, the country has raised its alert level from high to very high (highest level) to prevent the spread of the virus. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the coming weeks.
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the risk of spread and the risk of impact of the virus is "very high" at the global level.
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, anticipate transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.
To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
- If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider.
In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, individuals are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
Copyright and Disclaimer
GardaWorld is the owner or licensee of all intellectual property rights in the material presented on this website. All such rights are reserved.
The use of this website and its material is subject to the Terms of Use and accordingly you must not use any content from this website for commercial or other analogous purposes without our consent,
including but not limited to any deep-linking or framing in order to copy, distribute, display or monitor any portion of the website.
If you have any questions or are interested in distributing any content from this website, Contact us for more details.