TONGA, 2 Feb (CGTN) -- In a fresh blow to disaster-stricken Tonga, the Pacific kingdom went into COVID-19 lockdown on Wednesday afternoon, local officials said.

The virus was detected as the country struggles to recover from last month's devastating volcanic eruptions and tsunami.

Tonga Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni ordered a lockdown starting from 6:00 pm (0500 GMT) Wednesday, with reviews every 48 hours.

Mass gatherings will be banned during the lockdown, and schools will also be closed. Only essential services and some government services will remain open.

However, the assistance activities of the Red Cross will not be affected by the lockdown measures, Katie Greenwood, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Pacific head of delegation told CMG in an interview on Wednesday.

The Red Cross will strictly abide by epidemic prevention policies in aid activities to prevent volunteers and residents from contracting COVID-19, she said.

"The most important issue at the moment is to slow down and stop those who have been affected," Sovaleni said.

As of Wednesday, Tonga, which was previously virus-free, had recorded five positive COVID-19 cases.