1 Jul 2016

Ban on Tonga Sunday bakeries opening now in place

4:22 pm on 1 July 2016

From this Sunday selling bread on Sunday in Tonga will be illegal.

bread rolls baking

Photo: 123rf

This was confirmed in Parliament this week by the Police Minister, Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, who says for about 30 years Tonga has been in breach of its Sabbath Law, with bakeries and restaurants operating on Sunday.

As of this Sunday only restaurants in hotels and other commercial accommodation establishments can open.

He says Tonga is a Christian country and Tupou I formally decreed Sunday be kept holy and prohibited trading activities on that day.

Mr Tu'i'onetoa says the only exception to this rule would be during times of natural disaster.