British, Australian ships deliver ‘contactless’ aid to Tonga
Associated PressCANBERRA, Australia — British and Australian navy ships arrived in Tonga on Wednesday and attempted to deliver aid without making contact with anybody ashore to avoid spreading the coronavirus in a nation which has never had an outbreak. The danger of spreading the disease was underscored when nearly two dozen sailors aboard the Australian ship HMAS Adelaide were reported infected on Tuesday, raising fears they could bring the coronavirus to the small Pacific archipelago devastated by an undersea volcanic eruption and a tsunami on Jan. 15. Britain said its ship the HMS Spey arrived with 30,000 liters of bottled water, medical supplies for more than 300 first aid kits, and basic sanitation products. The Australian government said its ship had completed the 3,300-kilometer voyage from Brisbane and would deliver supplies without contact with the local population to avoid infections.
History of this topic
Aid reaching disaster-hit Tonga brings first virus outbreak
The Independent
Covid-free Tonga goes into lockdown after five cases are recorded
Daily Mail
US gives $2.5m for Tonga disaster relief, as aid gathers pace
Al JazeeraHMAS Adelaide delivers vital aid to Tonga a day after COVID-19 outbreak was detected on board
ABC
Covid outbreak on Australian aid ship headed to virus-free Tonga
Deccan ChronicleCOVID-19 outbreak on board HMAS Adelaide could hold up delivery of vital aid to Tonga
ABC
Why Tonga is opting for 'contactless' humanitarian aid
NPR
23 Australians on Ship Delivering Aid to Tonga Have COVID-19
The DiplomatTonga crisis prompts aid organisations to call for cash, warn physical donations could delay critical relief
ABC)
First aid flights leave for Tonga five days after devastating volcanic eruption
Firstpost
First aid flights arrive in Tonga after volcano eruption
LA Times
First aid flights arrive in Tonga after massive volcanic eruption and tsunami
NPRAustralia and New Zealand sending aid ships as UN prepares for COVID-distanced relief operations
ABC
Tonga faces lockdown after first COVID case is detected
Al JazeeraTonga reports its first ever COVID-19 case of the pandemic in traveller from New Zealand
ABC
Tonga reports its first-ever COVID-19 case
NPR
Tonga reports its first coronavirus case
Al JazeeraFiji was once first in line for an Aussie travel bubble, now it's battered by COVID. What happened?
ABCAs more Pacific countries record COVID-19 cases, some governments are rethinking their coronavirus strategy
ABCDiscover Related
)
)
