Covid-19 management castigated by Tahiti opposition

5:59 am on 20 April 2020

French Polynesia's opposition Tahoeraa Huiraatira party has accused the government of laxness in dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak which has to date seen 55 people testing positive.

In an open letter, the party leader Gaston Flosse is criticial of the management of the crisis saying with the president Edouard Fritch and the French High Commissioner Dominique Sorain there are two generals although the public doesn't know who is in charge.

Eduoard Fritch and Gaston Flosse during the election campaign in 2013

Eduoard Fritch and Gaston Flosse during the election campaign in 2013 Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel

According to the letter, decisions made for France are being copied in French Polynesia although the situation is different.

Gaston Flosse said to tackle the outbreak testing is imperative yet in the month to mid-April only about 1,000 tests had been done, or about 30 a day, which he says means it'll take years to check everybody.

He also claimed that the first Covid-19 positive person, who was wearing a mask, arrived in Tahiti on 9 March and reportedly met the president.

He alleged that Mr Fritch kept quiet about it and it wasn't until 18 March that the health ministry released its first test results.

Gaston Flosse added that it then took another three days for the French High Commission to impose restrictions.

He also said the president had announced another flight to China to fetch medical supplies but has now gone quiet about it.

This coming week, most of the restrictions imposed in March will be lifted except in Tahiti and Moorea where all the Covid-19 positive cases are located.

However the island of Taha'a has decided against any easing of the lockdown.

A curfew is in place until 29 April across French Polynesia.