Due to the spread of the corona virus, the authorities have Measures implemented for visitors on March 19, among others. a. Health certificate requirements and quarantine in a third country for travelers from (or in transit through) specific countries, including Norway. For more information about coronavirus, see the section Health.
Safety
Most trips to Tonga are completed without any special problems. However, theft of valuables occurs, and women should exercise caution and not walk alone at night. The road standard is poor.
Norway does not have a consulate on Tonga. The closest Norwegian consulate is to Fiji. Norway has two consulates in New Zealand. Responsible Norwegian Embassy is the Norwegian embassy in Canberra. The risk of terrorist incidents on Tonga is considered low. Tonga has severe penalties for drug offenses.
There is generally little crime on Tonga. Theft of valuables such as cash, jewelry, camera, mobile phone etc. occurs however. The security situation is less secure after nightfall. There have been cases where tourists have been raped. Women should therefore exercise caution and avoid walking alone at night, especially in low-populated areas and on beaches.
The road standard on Tonga is poor and there will often be people and animals on the road. Motorcyclists in particular are prone to road accidents. Please note that there is left-hand traffic. Therefore, always remember to look to the right when you cross the road or when you cross at junctions or roundabouts. A good rule is to look at both sides.
It is recommended to make copies of passports, tickets, bank cards, etc., and keep them separately from the original documents. It is not recommended to keep credit cards, cash and travelers checks together. Spread the risk so that you will not be able to pay in case of theft.
The safety standard is considerably lower than in Norway, especially in risk sports and when transporting by boat between the islands. Due to strong currents caution should be exercised when swimming. Therefore, consult locally regarding safe areas for swimming and other water sports.
Tonga can be hit by tropical storms, hurricanes and cyclones with strong winds and large amounts of rainfall, with subsequent danger of flooding and landslides. The hurricane season is from November to April.
If you travel by boat, especially during the hurricane season, it is recommended that you check the weather forecast at Tonga’s Meteorological Institute.
Cyclone and storm information is also available from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, US Navy, US National Weather Service Forecast Office, the Fiji Meteorological Service, the World Meteorological Organization Severe Weather Information Center, and the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
Tonga can also be hit by earthquakes.
Look for messages and advice from local authorities both before, during and after an emergency.
Local emergency numbers are as follows:
Police 922 or (+676) 70 234, ambulance 933, fire department 999 or (+676) 70 089, general emergency 911.
In crisis and emergency situations, the public is encouraged to contact the Norwegian Embassy in Canberra on tel: +61 2 6270 5700 or by e-mail: emb.canberra@mfa.no
Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the UD’s 24-hour operating center on tel: +47 23 95 00 00 or by e-mail: UDops@mfa.no
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages anyone who is going to countries outside Europe and North America to register on reiseregistrering.no. Travel registration is also recommended for anyone who is going to be abroad for an extended period of time, including students and other residents.
In a crisis situation where there is reason to believe that family and friends may be concerned, the embassy encourages Norwegians in the affected areas to contact family members in Norway. Family members can also contact the local authorities in the affected areas. General precautions for natural disasters in Oceania can be found here.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegian passport holders will receive a visa for one month free of charge upon arrival in Tonga, provided that they can present valid passports, tickets for return home as well as documentation of financing and residence during their stay.
The passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of arrival. For questions regarding visas and immigration, you can contact the immigration authorities in Nuku’alofa on the following website.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Due to the prevalence of the virus, the authorities from March 19 have implemented measures for visitors, among others. a. Health certificate requirements and quarantine in a third country for travelers from (or in transit through) specific countries, including Norway. Information on the measures can be read on the official websites of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Tonga Facebook page. It is the authorities of Tonga who are responsible for updating the websites.
Norwegian travelers should also keep abreast of the development of the coronavirus, as well as keep up to date with guidance and instructions from the Tonga authorities.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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When traveling to Tonga you should be careful with mosquito protection; Outbreaks of dengue fever and zika fever occur. From May 3, 2017, Norwegian health authorities have changed the advice for pregnant women and other travelers to areas with zika. It is now open for more testing for couples in connection with pregnancy. Pregnants are advised to postpone unnecessary travel. Use of a condom during sexual activity will reduce the risk of infection by the zika virus. Women should avoid becoming pregnant during their stay by using birth control. Please see the National Health Institute’s advice for pregnant women and other travelers to areas with zika.
Treatment services in hospitals are limited and in severe cases evacuation to New Zealand or Australia will be necessary.
Please see the National Institute of Public Health’s recommendations regarding vaccination when traveling abroad to Oceania. For more information on dengue fever, please see the World Health Organization factsheet on dengue fever.
The infection of the zika virus and the outbreak of zika fever have been detected on Tonga. The zika virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes or by sexual transmission. The symptoms are usually mild and many infected with the zika virus do not get sick. Pregnants are advised to postpone travel to outbreaks.
More information can be found on the Institute of Public Health’s website.
There are public hospitals on Tongatapu and Neiofu, and there are some private doctors in the capital. The range of treatment is still limited, and in severe cases evacuation to New Zealand or Australia must be expected. There is no pressure chamber that can treat diving sickness. The closest treatment site is in Australia in Townsville, Queensland. Therefore, make sure you have good travel insurance and check carefully what the insurance covers before departure, especially for medical evacuation by air/helicopter.
The fountains in the largest cities are chlorinated and drinkable. Diarrhea due to. Impure drinking water can still occur. In the outer islands, the water should be boiled.
Practical information
Area code for phone calls to Tonga is +676. Tonga lies eleven-twelve hours ahead of Norway, depending on Norwegian summer and winter time.
Power uses 240 volts and three-point plugs. Mobile coverage is only available in Nuku’alofa (the capital).
Tonga is a religious and relatively conservative country. The population is predominantly Christian, most of whom are Methodists (about 36 percent), Catholics (about 15 percent) and Mormon (about 15 percent). English and Tongan are official languages. It is not common to give tips.
Going for easy clothing outside beaches and tourist hotels can be considered insulting. It is recommended that women wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees, and it is forbidden to wear their upper body in public places. Topless sunbathing is also not accepted. The Tongans have a conservative stance on homosexuality.
Credit cards can be used at most hotels and in major stores. There are only a few ATMs and only in Nuku’alofa and on the islands of Ha’apai, Vava’u, Eua and Tongatapu. Bring cash if you travel to the outer islands. Public offices are normally open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:30 and shops from 08:30 to 17:00. Most shops are open on Saturdays from 8am to 12pm. At Nuku’alofa and Neiafu the banks are also open from 08.30-15.30 on Saturdays. For an overview of holidays and holidays, see the Ministry of Information website.