Zara Holland could face a year in jail or £18k fine for breaking Barbados Covid laws

Zara Holland has been charged with breaking Covid rules in Barbados and could now face a year in prison or an £18k fine.

The ex-Love Islander allegedly tried to flee the island with her boyfriend whilst he was positive with coronavirus.

The couple were arrested at the airport, and will appear in court on Wednesday.

Barbados’ Covid rules state visitors must isolate until they have had two negative coronavirus tests. Zara’s boyfriend tested positive, and it is claimed the couple then tried to escape back to the UK.

Local news reports the couple cut off their red wristbands signifying they were to isolate before heading back to the airport.

@zaraholland

In a statement to Barbados Today, Zara said: “I firstly want to apologise to the entire country of Barbados for what has been a massive mix up and misunderstanding during my most recent stay.

“I am currently working with the local authorities to rectify any issues on my part and will issue an update and full statement which I think is the only right thing to do to the Government and citizens of Barbados.

“I have been a guest of this lovely island in excess of 20 years and would never do anything to jeopardise an entire nation that I have nothing but love and respect for and which has treated me as a family.”

Zara is currently out of isolation after testing negative, whereas her boyfriend is still being quarantined on the island. A spokesperson at the Foreign Office said: “We are supporting a British man and woman in quarantine in Barbados, and are in contact with their family.”

The Barbadian courts recently put a visitor in jail for six months after he left quarantine to ‘buy a drink’. The Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes said: “I got to send a message to you and to all the other people that this cannot be tolerated. We have made too much gain, so you have to do six months. Walking out of quarantine no man, this cannot be allowed.”

Over 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for Zara and her boyfriend to be put in prison. The pair now face a potential fine of $50,000 or jail sentence.

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