GOVERNMENT OF TONGA

MEDIA RELEASE
(31st March, 2023)

“Tonga to let go of proof of COVID-19 vaccination after cancelling of the Open Border Policy Framework”

Government will now remove the requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all foreign travellers arriving in Tonga.

This follows Cabinet’s approval of the cancellation of the Open Border Policy Framework this morning. The Framework was last updated on September 27, 2022.

The World Health Organization has supported the removal following a request for advice from the Government.

COVID-19 cases in Tonga and around the Pacific Island Countries have dropped in the last six months, prompting the Ministry of Health’s proposal to remove the requirement for proof of vaccination.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Immigration Division will incorporate key surveillance data requirements into one arrival card for arriving passengers to complete.

-ENDS-