Tokelau COVID19 Updates

The Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau also as the National Special Committee for
COVID19 as established in the March 2020 General Fono, met Tuesday, October 6 th to review
the state of preparedness of the three atoll to address any suspect or confirmed cases and the
possibility of reconsidering current travel restrictions particularly for those travelling from
countries with confirmed cases.

While preparedness has progressed somewhat, there are still critical areas to address before
restrictions could be relaxed. Critical areas include the installation of essential health
equipment such as the Genexpert which would allow COVID testing on atoll, the establishment
of appropriate systems, coordination and support. This support is inclusive of recruiting medics
to ensure that normal health services continue in the unfortunate event that health staff may
have to deal with a suspect or confirmed case. It is expected that much of this would be in place
well before the end of the year.

In this regard, restrictions is to remain in place and will be reviewed again on November 2 nd .

In the meantime, given that Samoa continues to be COVID19 free, preparations will commence
immediately for repatriation on October 30 th of those who are in Samoa and have not travelled
outside of Samoa since April 2020.

Further, in anticipation of the critical areas being addressed in the coming month allowing a
possible relaxation of restrictions for our people stranded in countries with confirmed cases to
return home; subject to flights into Samoa and her border controls, we are now taking
registration to gauge the numbers involved.

To our people abroad who are usual residents of Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu who remains
overseas due to border restrictions, if you meet the criteria below, please register by sending
an email to tokrepat.register@tokelau.org.nz. Please provide your name, passport details and
country you are currently in and list the countries you have been in the last 30 days. On
registration, one of our staff will be in touch should we need further details.


REPATRIATION CRITERIA:

a. Tokelau nationals and Government contract workers who are usual residents of Atafu,
    Fakaofo and Nukunonu but have been overseas for the following reasons:
  • Under the Tokelau Patient Referral Scheme
  • Under the Tokelau Scholarship scheme
  • As Tokelau public servants, based in any of the 3 atolls, but was overseas for work related projects.
  • For personal reasons but fail to return due to border closure


Not eligible are:

a. Tokelau nationals who are not usual residents in any of the three atolls
  • This include Tokelau Public servants who are based in Apia and their families unless returning home
b. Tokelau nationals and usual residents who are wanting to come for a visit and return
    overseas within the next 6 months
c. Any other nationalities other than those discussed above.

Safety of our people on atoll continuing to be of paramount consideration, the Department of
Health and the Department of Transport have been authorised to carry out medical checks and
required preventative measures and actions.

On arrival in Tokelau, the Taupulega, with due consideration of the protective measures under
the Tokelau Preventative and Preparedness Plan approved by the March 2020 General Fono,
will implement their respective internal controls particularly quarantine requirements.