Home Blog Page 454

Eight men arrested in drug bust across Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
-

Eight people have been arrested and methamphetamine, cannabis, drug untensils and cash have been seized in a drug bust across Tongatapu.

The Tonga Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce made the arrest on Wednesday 1 April 2020.

The eight arrested, all males aged between 26 and 49, included four from Vaini, three from Tofoa and one from Lapaha.

Police seized 1.67 grams of methamphetamine, 20.61 grams of cannabis, drug utensils and over $600 pa’anga in cash.

The eight arrested included four men from Vaini, three from Tofoa and one from Lapaha all between the aged of 26 to 49.

All eight men have been charged accordingly and are in police custody to appear before Court at a later date.

“These arrests should reassure the community that preventing illicit drugs supply is a high priority for Police. We will continue to target those who supply drugs within our community, and hold them to account for their crimes,” said A/DPC Vailea.

Anyone with information about drug related offending are asked to contact 22784.

Tonga lockdown extended to April 12, but ease some local travel and trade curbs

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s lockdown measures to stop Coronavirus coming into the country had been relaxed but certain restrictions had been extended for another week until April 12 at 1am.

This afternoon, Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa ordered the extension in a press conference in Nuku’alofa saying he has renewed the measures.

Local mobile vehicle marketing and roadside vendors were now allowed to recommence their services. The Talamahu, Ma’ufanga and Fanga market places were still banned.

The Prime Minister has lifted bans on crops and fisheries export industries as well as construction companies.

The  restrictions on inter-island marine transport  within Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas have been lifted.  

Legal practitioners and clients with cases affecting lockdown and curfew measures and state of emergency were allowed to operate.

Tonga has no confirmed case of Covid-19 with eight suspected cases returning negative tests.

Despite this the government went into lockdown on March 29 as authorities strive to keep the country Covid-19 free.

Gov’t focuses on “immediate response” phase as PM Tu‘i‘onetoa urges public to obey lockdown notices and laws amid coronavirus shutdown

By
Kalino Latu
-
Ko hono fakamahino ‘e he ‘Eiki Palēmia’ ‘a e makatu’unga ‘o e ngaahi founga ‘oku tēkolo’i’aki ‘e he pule’anga’ e feinga ke ‘oua na’a hū ki Tonga ‘a e mahaki Koviti-19. Ko e polokalama ‘eni mo e ‘Ōfisi ‘o e Palēmia’ ne hiki he ‘aho 9 Mā’asi pea tok liliu ‘e he Kaniva’ he ‘aho’ ni 2 ‘Epeleli’ ki he lea ‘ingilisi’

This is a translation of an audio recording provided by the office of Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. It is provided as a statement of record of Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s public statements.

Sponsored:

The government’s efforts to keep the coronavirus away from its shores had been based on what Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has described as the immediate response phase.

He urged the public to stay focused on the idea that Tonga was in a stage of fighting to stop the Covid-19 from coming into the country.

He said the next phase was recovery, but that would come later if the coronavirus affected Tonga or the war against it was over.

The Prime Minister was responding to questions during an interview with Managing Director and Editor of Radio FM87.5 Katalina Tohi on March 9.  

Tonga has no confirmed case of Covid-19. The country is being on lock down, curfew and national state of emergency until April 6.  

READ MORE:

*Prime Minister announces good news on virus test, reiterates WHO advice on personal hygiene during Covid-19 pandemic

The interview:

Katalina Tohi: Two weeks ago there were travelers coming in and out of the country. There were rumours about a Fiji Airways’ air hostess who appeared to have contracted the coronavirus and some travelers to Tonga were on that plane. What has been done to protect Tonga? 

PM Tu’ionetoa: Works are underway to organise and discuss the plan. The virus can be contracted through human contact and it came from overseas as we knew it came from China. The number of cases in New Zealand is rising. One has got it in Fiji and Australia there were cases there as well. The three airports through which travelers to Tonga departed were Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. It has been confirmed the coronavirus was there and works were underway to close them. Our National Committee for Covid-19 was working to extend the lockdown. The Ministry of Education planned for the school holidays to be brought forward so they sit within the shutdown schedules. Also the number of civil servants has to be reduced and working from home has to be facilitated. The lockdown was made so that an inquiry was made to find out about those travelers who arrived here on last Saturday and within the last two weeks before that to make sure we did not have the coronavirus here.  The government is aware of the needs to import and bring in goods from overseas. But bringing in any more passengers is not allowed.

Katalina Tohi: You talked about the schools. They have one and two-week holiday schedules. This might be an opportunity to activate them at this time just like implementing a national quarantine?

PM Tu’i’onetoa: Thanks Katalina. We are currently thinking about it and the Minister of Education has mentioned that yesterday. A survey had been conducted on government, church and non-government schools about that. We are having a Cabinet meeting tomorrow and hopefully we will have the results of the survey to look at. 

Katalina Tohi: Has the government had any plan for those workers at airlines and businesses as they will no longer be working?

PM Tu’i’onetoa: That’s one of the government’s responsibilities is to look after those workers. If you became aware of the time when Tropical Cyclone Gita struck there were various government committees set up to address it such as Shelter Committee, Economic and Social Recovery Committee, the Health, Water and Sanitation Committee and Education. The effects of the cyclone covered many areas which these committees had to deal closely. This is a disease and some of those committees may not be needed. But committees like the Economic and Social Recovery Committee have to provide a plan for the government on this. The World Bank and ADB have given us guidelines on how we apply for financial assistance. When we receive that funding the government will allocate it.

Katalina: The government’s preparedness status is clear both in economic plans and emergency and in long term.

PM Tu’i’onetoa: Every plan has long and short terms. This could be clearer if we refer to it as immediate response phase and recovery response phase. At this stage, we are at the immediate response phase of the plan. To make sure the disease will not come into Tonga. Let’s focus on that. We already understand there will be effects and there will be time for recovery. We have to leave the recovery behind although it is important and we have to be aware of it. When the disease will come in that’s another phase and we have to look at it differently. That’s why it is important for the people not to take these matters lightly. Blocking things at this stage is a better idea. Look at Italy where only two people allegedly brought the disease into their country. Now they struggle to stop it. Say we go past the first or second month and nothing has happened, the tourism sector will be dead already. Then we will implement the recovery plan which will help them to recover financially.

Katalina Tohi: There are people who are flouting the notices.

PM Tu’i’onetoa: That was one of the things we looked at during a meeting attended by almost all the Cabinet ministers and CEOs. We talked about what you are talking about. We are a small population. And it should be easy but some did not want to abide by the rules and some were not aware of the public announcement. But I thank most of the country while we are struggling with the global disaster. I appeal to all Tongans: Let’s work together. We will all share its advantages and we will be happy about it. There was an example Katalina. When the tsunami alert came people went to the shore to watch. When the waves came the people ran, but it was too late. This time we should learn from it like that Tsunami in Niua.  Let’s not disobey the government’s rules and the Ministry of Health. We are still safe and the people knew that. Let’s thank God for His love and care for our nation. We have a duty to be obedience.

Katalina Tohi: There were countries who helped us in the past, especially Australia and New Zealand. Have there been any assistance from them?

PM Tu’i’onetoa: These two countries have helped us financially and technically. Our contact with them is closer at this stage, especially the Ministry of Health. Although international flights have been banned, if we need to bring in medicines and services that must be done.  

Katalina Tohi: Have you anything else to add?

PM Tu’i’onetoa: I appeal to the public this disease is destructive and there is no need for us to take it lightly, otherwise we would become like Italy or Korea. They tried to stop it, but many lives have been lost. We do not want to lose lives. Let’s stay focused on that. But if the disease comes we have to change our course of action. Let’s pray to God to protect us at this time of difficulty.

Watch live: 89 new cases of Covid-19 in NZ, 92 people now recovered

By
Kaniva Staff
-

This article is published with permission under Kaniva Tonga partnership with Radio New Zealand.

There have been 89 new confirmed and probable cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand, bringing the total number of cases to 797.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said 92 people had now recovered from the coronavirus.

Thirteen people are in hospital, two are in ICU. All patients are stable.

Dr Bloomfield said 51 percent of cases still have a strong link to travel and 31 percent are links to confirmed cases. Only 1 percent are being classed as community transmission, but 17 percent are still being contact traced.

He said 2563 tests were done yesterday. More than 26,000 tests now conducted.

Watch the latest media conference live here:

Police Commissioner Mike Bush is also set to provide an update.

Yesterday it was confirmed that there are 708 cases of Covid-19 in the country of which 82 people have recovered, 14 are in hospital and two in intensive care. Only one person has died.

New Zealand is now in its eighth day of the level 4 alert status – a full lockdown for at least four weeks.

  • If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs)

NZ citizen stuck in Tonga due to border closures

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Sela Jane Hogwood. This story is published with permission under Kaniva Tonga partnership with Radio New Zealand.

A New Zealand citizen, who is currently unemployed, is struggling to return back home from Tonga due to border closures.

Richard Fruean is a former food factory worker from Hastings, Hawkes Bay, but since resigning from the job, has moved to Auckland to live with his parents.

Mr Fruean flew to Tonga at the beginning of March to be with his wife and to file her and their daughter’s residency papers to live in New Zealand.

However Mr Fruean was unable to board his return flight back to New Zealand on 31 March due to the borders being closed in Tonga until 6 April.

Mr Fruean said he was worried he would be charged by Tongan immigration for overstaying his visit.

“I contacted the New Zealand High Commissioner in Tonga and they advised me that they would have to contact immigration about my concern.”

“The High Commissioner said I should be fine to be an over-stayer in Tonga due to the current circumstances with the lockdown and border closures, but I told them my biggest concern is that if I get charged for over-staying, I won’t be able to pay for it because I resigned from my job back in New Zealand.”

“The High Commissioner did warn me that I might get a fine for over-staying, but I am still waiting for the confirmation from both them and the immigration. The only problem with that is the immigration in Tonga are closed due to the lockdown, so I don’t know when I will find out my fate.”

Mr Fruean said he just wanted to be able to extend his visa so that he was visiting Tonga legally.

He faced another hurdle when arranging his return back to New Zealand with Virgin Australia.

“The flight centre in Hastings where I booked my flight for Tonga contacted Virgin Australia about my situation and was told they were closed until June, so therefore could not do anything about my return flight from Tonga to New Zealand until then.”

“I had to explain to the flight centre that I wanted to come back to New Zealand immediately especially seeing I was due back at the end of March because I wanted to look for a job to earn money to pay for my bills, but they told me that I couldn’t get a refund for my return flight and instead would get airfare credits for a future flight.”

“The thing is I was hoping to use the refund money to book a flight with Air New Zealand to come home once the borders open, but now I have to think of another plan.”

Power bills drop by 12% for all households amid coronavirus fears

By
Kalino Latu
-

The government and Tonga Power Limited have agreed an emergency package of measures to ensure vulnerable people do not get cut off amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

The sole electricity provider said there was a drop in diesel rates from $1.6906 per litre in October 2019 to  $1.5091 per litre in March 2020.

The new electricity tariff rate of 73 sēniti per kWh was approved by the Electricity Commission to be effective from 1 April 2020.

It said the new published rate for all electricity will reduce by a total of 10.16 sēniti (12.2%) per kwh to 73 sēniti per kwh from the current tariff of 83.16 sēniti per kWh set back in 1 November 2019.

“The accumulated price reduction from October 2019 to 15 March 2020 is driven mainly by the ongoing price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia since 8 March 2020 and the current economic impact of the World wide COVID-19 pandemic,” a statement said.

The tariff set back in November 2019 of 83.16 seniti per kWh was subsidised by the government of Tonga (shareholder) to remain at 79.90 senit per kWh up to March 2020, it said.

Tongan seasonal workers doing essential jobs qualify for help under NZ emergency package

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
-

[maxbutton id=”2″]

Tongan workers in New Zealand on Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme contracts are covered for medical costs and sick leave under New Zealand’s Essential Services package.

Under their own compulsory insurance, the workers costs for doctors’ visits and medicine are covered but the government will pay for sick leave and self-isolation if caused by the coronavirus.

Just over 1700 Tongan seasonal workers are employed in horticulture throughout New Zealand and are required to work during the nationwide shutdown.

Sefita Hao’uli, the Tongan RSE Liaison Officer in New Zealand told Kaniva news that the workers will be in just over 50 jobsites in both the North and the South Islands.

Hao’uli said RSE employees who were regarded as doing essential work automatically qualified for the NZ$585 employment benefit if they are unable to work through illness or if work is unavailable.  

“But there is no shortage of work for us at present.  Almost everyone is fully employed and there’s a lot of overtime in some of our busier pack-houses”, he said.

He said that the RSE workers are aware of the need to contribute to essential services and to protect food supply for the country while other workers are asked to stay at home.

“We have explained and our workers know that it is in everyone’s benefit to help control the spread of the virus by staying at home but we must also ensure that there’s food available at the supermarket for everyone”, he said

The government’s package comes on top of the increase in the minimum wage of $18.90 an hour before tax which came into effect this week.  

The measure will give workers on the minimum wage around $50 more per week before tax.

If an RSE worker became sick during the Covid-19 alerts he was entitled to 14 days sick leave, something, according to New Zealand laws, which could only be offered if an employee had been working in New Zealand for a year.

RSE workers normally worked less than a year, so they were not previously entitled to it. 

Hao’uli said he had been contacting employers since the lockdown to make sure the employees were safe and had access to all the benefits to which they were entitled.

Some employers who had many employees living on their farms had rented more accommodation to make sure there was space and good ventilation for the employees, he said. 

Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva news late today he had been told by the Minister of Internal Affairs that arrangements had been made with the New Zealand High Commissioner in Tonga regarding Tongan RSE workers in New Zealand.

Immigration Ministry

The New Zealand Government’s epidemic management notice relating to immigration comes into effect tomorrow (April 2) 2020.

Immigration New Zealand said it was  contacting all RSE employers whose workers hold visas that expired on or before 1 April. RSE employers were being asked to submit the names of these workers to indicate they require a renewed visa.

During the Level 4 Alert period RSE workers were only permitted to do essential work, Immigration New Zealand said.

If an RSE worker currently in New Zealand was required to isolate themselves for 14 days during their time here, their employer must make appropriate accommodation and pastoral care facilities available for them.

Costs incurred during any self-isolation period, including accommodation and living costs, were the responsibility of the worker themselves, as during the normal course of employment.

While RSE workers were eligible for the sick-leave scheme, employers were  required to apply for the subsidy on behalf of workers.

Workers who received government funding if they fell sick or had to isolate themselves would still need to pay for their food and accommodation during this time.

Under existing medical insurance, RSE workers were entitled to receive medical treatment for any presenting conditions, including COVID-19.

Translations

The Ministry of Pacific Peoples has published translations of key information about the Covid-19 crisis by Tongan community leaders.

These include videos and key documents. The link to the translations can be found below.

The main points

  • Tongan workers in New Zealand on Recognised Seasonal Employment contracts are covered  by New Zealand’s Essential Services package.
  • Sefita Hao’uli, the Tongan RSE Liaison Officer in New Zealand told Kaniva news this meant workers were still working in the farms while the country was in lock down.
  • Hao’uli said RSE employees who were regarded as doing essential work they automatically qualified for the  $585 employment benefit for those unable to work.

COVID-19 operation: Four arrested with illicit drugs

By
Kalino Latu
-

A total of 639.68 grams of cannabis was seized by Police and His Majesty’s Armed Forces on Monday 30 March 2020.

While enforcing the National Lockdown Order, Police Officers and officers from His Majesty’s Armed Forces seized illicit drugs from a rental car and arrested three men that they stopped at a Lockdown Checkpoint in Poutaha, Tofoa last Monday afternoon.

The three men, all from Tofoa aged 28 and 23, were arrested with 128 packs of cannabis (165.37 grams) ready for distribution. Drug utensils were also seized.

Following the arrests, the Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce, together with the Tactical Response Group (TRG) and Detector Dog Unit, searched the accused’s residence in Tofoa, resulting in the arrest of a female with 474.31 grams of cannabis and cash.

Since the commencement of Police Operation COVID19 on Saturday 28 of March 2020, police have arrested 81 people, 41 in relation to the breach of curfew with other related criminal activities including the four arrested for possession of illicit drugs.

“Police will continue to target those who think to profit through the supply and distribution of illicit drugs at the expense of vulnerable people in our community, especially during this National Lockdown period,” said A/Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea.

If you see anything suspicious or have any information about any drug related activities in your community please contact 22784, Police said.

All 4 accused persons are in police custody.

Watch live: 61 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand

By
Kaniva Staff
-

This article is published with permission under Kaniva Tonga partnership with Radio New Zealand.

The total number of cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand has risen to 708, with 61 confirmed and probable cases in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry has confirmed.

Health Ministry Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay said there have been 47 new confirmed cases and 14 new probable cases.

Fourteen people are in hospital – two are in intensive care but are stable. 82 people have now recovered from the coronavirus.

Watch the media conference live here:

Dr McElnay also said a new case definition will be issued today as a guide for clinical practitioners.

It says those with respiratory illness consistent with Covid-19 should be considered for testing, regardless of travel history or contact with a confirmed case.

She said there was still a strong link to overseas travel and links to confirmed cases. Community transmission is about 1 percent.

Labs for testing are increasing from eight to 10 and will be in place by the end of next week.

Civil Defence director Sarah Stuart-Black said 57 people were moved yesterday from managed isolation in Auckland through Wellington to Christchurch.

She said there will be a charted regional flight this afternoon, and more are expected in the next few days.

  • If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs)

Tonga cancels aircraft with medical supplies from China, reports say

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa said an aircraft which was expected to arrive in Tonga this week with medical supplies from China has been cancelled, Radio Broadcom FM 87.5 reported.

The equipment were now expected to be brought through Fiji before they would be sent to Tonga by vessel.

The Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola previously said the equipment included Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies

Tonga is currently on lockdown and all international flights had been either diverted or cancelled until April 6.

Dr ‘Akau’ola said aircraft which conveyed essential needs and services will still arrive in the kingdom during the lock down periods.

The cancellation came after online users had been divided by the decision to allow the aircraft into Tonga amid fears the equipment might bring the coronavirus into the country.

Critics said the government has made a high-risk decision.

However, Dr ‘Akau’ola reportedly said the medical equipment had been made and shipped by the Chinese government according to World Health Organisation’s standards and requirements.

A number of European governments have rejected Chinese-made equipment designed to combat the coronavirus outbreak this week.

Thousands of testing kits and medical masks are below standard or defective, according to authorities in Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands, the BBC news reported.

Spain’s government encountered similar problems with testing kits ordered from a Chinese company.

Turkey also announced that it had found some testing kits ordered from Chinese companies were not sufficiently accurate, although it said that some 350,000 of the tests worked well.

In a statement to Kaniva News and other media, the Chinese Embassy in Tonga said, China commends all the efforts made by the Tongan government to fight against the deadly disease.

“China also appreciates the strong supports and selfless assistance from the Royal families, the Tongan government and the people during the fight against COVID-19 by the Chinese people. At a special moment of coping with the outbreak by the Pacific Island countries, the Chinese Government has just established the China-Pacific Island Countries anti-COVID-19 Cooperation Fund, with a total amount of US$1.9 million, in order to enhance the cooperation in combating COVID-19.

“Among which, US$200,000 will be donated to the Tongan Government for fighting COVID-19. This demonstrates that China is practicing the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the field of international health cooperation. The anti-COVID-19 cooperation between China and Tonga can serve a role model in the following aspects: First, our cooperation is sincere.

“During China’s fighting against the outbreak, His Majesty King Tupou VI, HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Hon. Prime Minister Tui’i’onetoa, Hon. Speaker Fakafanua, Hon. Minister Vaipulu and the people from all walks of life supported the Chinese government and the Chinese people in the form of letters, video clips, warm words, donation,etc, which has given enormous power to China.

“At the same time, the Chinese government took good care of the health of all the Tongan citizens in China to ensure that they would be free from the outbreak. As the virus is spreading in more and more countries now, the Chinese government, the Chinese companies and the Chinese community in Tonga donated money and personal protective equipment(PPE) to the Tongan government in order to improve the health capability for combating the outbreak.”

1...453454455...958Page 454 of 958