Lockdown for Tonga after Covid-19 infections reach disaster-hit nation

The volcanic eruption and tsunami last month tainted drinking water, severed communications and left dozens homeless

Tonga will enter a lockdown on Wednesday after finding coronavirus infections in two port workers helping distribute aid arriving in the Pacific nation following a volcanic eruption and tsunami. Picture: Marian Kupu/Broadcom Broadcasting/AP

Tonga will enter a lockdown on Wednesday after finding coronavirus infections in two port workers helping distribute aid arriving in the Pacific nation following a volcanic eruption and tsunami.

The urgent announcement by Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni appeared to confirm fears that accepting the aid following the disaster last month could usher in a second disaster by bringing Covid-19 into a nation that had been virus-free.