Vaccination programme rolls out in the French territories, schools in Fiji close as Tropical Cyclone alert issued and more.
Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 disease vaccine. Photo: AFP
Vaccination programme rolls out in the French territories
New Caledonia has begun vaccinating more than 8500 frontline health workers, the vulnerable and the elderly.
The Pfizer vaccine programme began on 20 January and requires two doses with a 21 day interval between jabs.
The programme is funded by Paris and is free but not compulsory.
And French Polynesian health authorities have given the first of a two dose Covid-19 vaccine to 1526 of its most at-risk people.
The vaccination campaign began on 18 January with Phase One focusing on health workers and those over 75 on Tahiti and Mo'orea.
Hospital staff on Ra'iatea and Nuku Hiva are also being inoculated.
They will receive their second jab in February.
The French territory has been hard hit by the virus, recording over 18,000 cases and more than 130 deaths.
There were 35 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, and 20 people are in hospital including 9 in intensive care.
Schools in Fiji close as Tropical Cyclone alert
All schools in Fiji will be closed today as a precautionary measure against the Tropical Cyclone alert in force.
Fiji Meteorological Services says a tropical depression affecting Fiji is expected to develop into tropical cyclone in the next two days.
Fiji's Ministry of Education is requesting teachers to report to work today and prepare classrooms as evacuation centres in case of any flooding.
FBC news reports that heads of schools are required to make necessary arrangements for schools to be ready to take in evacuees.
Minister of Education Rosy Akbar is urging parents to be vigilant and ensure children remain indoors.
She is also calling on parents to ensure children avoid playing in flooded waters as the risk of drowning is high regardless of ones ability to swim.
The Minister is calling on Fijians to follow the weather bulletins for further updates.
Tonga's Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre activated
A Tropical Depression has developed to the west of Tonga is expected to bring storms, gales and heavy rain to Tonga.
Matangi Tonga online reports the Fua'amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre has been activated.
The centre has issued a gale warning for the Niuas land areas, and a storm warning for other groups.
A storm warning is now in force for Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu and 'Eua land areas and coastal waters and the Niuas coastal waters.
More bad weather in Samoa expected
Samoa's meteorological service has issued a severe weather warning.
An active convergence zone is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and landslides.
Strong gusts and thunderstorms will likely cause marine swells of 2.5 meters.
People are advised to keep away from riverways and exposed coastal areas.