Tonga's PM, 'Resilience and strength of people' will get Kingdom through'

By  Lydia Lewis, RNZ 

Adapted from RNZ: Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Photo: Kaniva Tonga

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Tonga's new Prime Minister thinks that people's "resilience" and "strength" will see the Kingdom through the effects of the volcano eruption, tsunami, and now Covid-19.

Earlier today, the prime minister and Minister of Health Saia Piukala said that one of the initial two reported cases had tested negative, although he remained in isolation at Taliai Military Camp for additional testing.

The overall number of positive covid cases in Tonga is currently four, down from five declared yesterday.

Tonga is still under lockdown, with all businesses shuttered and residents told to stay at home.

Work is being done to determine the source of the illnesses and which variation it

Hu'akavameiliku told RNZ Pacific that people had responded nicely to the lockout.

"It's rewarding that we can truly make a difference during these tough times; I believe that even though it is a trying moment, the pleasant thing, ah feeling about is that we are here to actually help and minimize... of all the problems to the people of Tonga."

Hu'akavameiliku stated that his administration is considering how to prioritize food and water for the most vulnerable people.

He has guaranteed the public that crucial supplies will be delivered in containers.

French Polynesia provides relief supplies for victims of Tonga's volcanic eruption and tsunami Photo: supplied 

Through RNZ Pacific, Hu'akavameiliku thanked the world for the global response.

"It's hard, I mean... deal with a volcano and the tsunami and now the outbreak of Covid-19."

But Tongans are a resilient people, we have dealt with disasters before and our strength is the fact that we stand together, and then I believe that will get us through these challenges, we will stand together and we will work together and we will get through this together," Prime minister Hu'akavameiliku said.

New Zealand will continue to support Tonga

The New Zealand Government will continue to support Tonga with relief efforts after the Kingdom plunged into lockdown Wednesday night.

The Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs told RNZ Pacific all deployed crew and troops on the HMNZS Canterbury returned negative Day 10 PCR Tests as of Tuesday 1 February.

A spokesperson said all Defence Force personnel deployed in the Kingdom have been following strict protocols.

They have been using both Rapid Antigen Tests and PCR tests.

All supplies have been delivered in a contactless manner, using PPE when handling supplies. 

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/