Streets of tsunami-hit Tonga empty on first day of COVID lockdown

'Normally this road would be queueing with vehicles and people, but as you can see all shops are closed, everything is closed - taxi stands, shops, supermarkets, it's closed,' said local journalist Marian Kupu as she stood at a deserted crossroads in the capital, shuttered buildings behind her. 'It's a ghost town here in Nuku'alofa.' There had been fears an influx of international ships and planes delivering badly-needed water, shelter and food after last month's devastating volcanic eruption had increased the risk of a pandemic outbreak in the isolated Pacific nation.