The Cook Islands government is restricting domestic travel from Rarotonga to protect all the outer islands from Covid-19.
The country's health secretary Josephine Aumea Herman said from Saturday all travelers to the Pa Enua must first undertake quarantine on Rarotonga.
Dr Josephine Aumea Herman Photo: Supplied
Dr Aumea Herman said health systems on the Pa Enua have been strengthened, and last week health officials visited the outer islands by plane to ensure their preparedness.
She said this is part of the strategy to protect the already isolated populations on the outer islands.
"There will not be any more travel to the Pa Enua unless they have undertaken a 14 day supervised quarantine period in Rarotonga. And the whole purpose around this is to provide the Pa Enua a safeguard so that we can pretty much avoid the virus going to the Pa Enua."
The Cook Islands government has also been working on a cultural shift to ready the country for when Covid-19 arrives.
The community in Penrhyn, Cook Islands Photo: RNZI / Mary Baines
Dr Aumea Herman said since 22 January they have been communicating enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing measures.
She said the Health Ministry - Te Marae Ora - has been working with tourism to communicate that people should no longer kiss, hug or shake hands.
She said the handwashing, cough-etiquette and 'don't touch your face' messages are getting through.
Dr Aumea Herman said government agencies, traditional cultural institutions - the Aronga Mana - and the church are all part of getting the nation ready.
"For us in our churches, we've had to ask churches to refrain from singing because that's the biggest risk in terms of spreading the virus. So, we have implemented measures based on the fact that we need to prepare our people to behave like what we would be behaving when the virus does arrive."
Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands Photo: RNZI