Tonga turns back aid flight from Australia over positive COVID-19 case

Tonga desperately needs the aid, but is also very concerned about keeping COVID-19 away from its remote community.

An Australian plane delivering aid supplies to the Pacific nation of Tonga was turned away after a positive COVID-19 case was discovered on board.

According to The Guardian, the flight left Brisbane on Thursday afternoon but was turned around halfway through its flight when it was notified that someone on board had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Many of the country’s 170 islands were devastated after a volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami struck last weekend. A thick blanket of ash has covered the main island of Tongatapu, polluting drinking water and making it dangerous for some residents to be outside and exposed to the soot.

Despite desperately needing the help, Tongan officials have expressed concern about aid agencies coming to the islands and bringing the coronavirus with them.

So far, the country has managed to avoid any outbreaks, mostly by implementing strict restrictions that keep outsiders away.

An Australian defence spokeswoman told Reuters all members of the flight crew tested negative via rapid antigen tests before they boarded. However, the results from additional PCR tests came in mid-flight, showing that one person had tested positive for COVID-19, and the plane was ordered to turn back. The supplies were moved to another aircraft that left Brisbane on Friday.

There is some respite, however: other aid vessels have made contact with Tonga in that time, and more are on the way.