Tongan Police will not enforce a ban on sale of bread on July 3 to hundreds of tourists who buy and eat breads in restaurants in the kingdom.
Tonga’s Police Minister Hon Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa said these people from overseas were mostly in Tonga temporally and they expected local restaurants to provide them with food during Sundays.
The Minister has announced the ban today saying it was made after further public consultations and radio talkbacks.
Hon Tuʻiʻonetoa said the government will observe the public reaction towards the ban during the first month.
He said all restaurants must obtain a license to operate on Sunday.
He said meetings were held with bakery owners about the ban.
The church leaders launched a petition in July 2015 with the government raising their concerns that selling bread on Sunday breached the law of the nation.
The decision by the government to restore its Sunday trading ban law was made after it found no record to show an official decision was made to allow bakeries to operate on Sunday and sell bread to the public.
It was likely the decision was made 34 years ago in 1982 after Tropical Cyclone Isaac hit the kingdom.
Tonga has a large Christian population and Sunday is celebrated as a strict Sabbath taboo.
However the essential services such as transport, restaurants were allowed but operators have to seek permission from the Minister of Police. In times of emergency or disaster essential services are also allowed.
