First contactless aid flights arrive in disaster-hit Tonga as islands aim to keep Covid-19 out

The first contactless aid flights arrived in disaster-hit Tonga on Thursday, as the coronavirus-free Pacific island nation takes precautions to keep the virus out of its borders in the wake of a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Flights from Australia and New Zealand carrying humanitarian aid and disaster relief landed at Fua'amotu International Airport in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa, after the runway was cleared of volcanic ash and debris following Saturday's violent eruption of the underwater Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano.

It also comes as a senior Tongan politician warned of potential food shortages in the country.