Zara Holland apologises to Barbados and labels escape attempt 'massive mix up'

Love Island’s Zara Holland has apologised to the people of Barbados for a “massive mix up” after she was caught apparently trying to flee when her boyfriend tested positive for coronavirus.

In a statement issued by a representative of the family to Barbados Today, Holland called the events a “misunderstanding”.

She said: “I firstly wish to apologise to the entire country of Barbados for what has been a massive mix up and misunderstanding during my most recent stay.”

The 25-year-old said she was “working closely” with officials after she was taken into custody at the airport last week.

Zara said: “I am currently working closely 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.”

After taking two separate negative tests, Zara has now been allowed to leave a quarantine facility at Paragon Military Base.

Her boyfriend Elliott Love remains at the quarantine facility, where the two were taken after being stopped at the airport.

He will need to wait at least six days and provide two negative tests before he is allowed to leave.

Zara was said to be sobbing and upset while she awaited her test results at the base.

A source told The Sun : “They were ­pacing up and down inside the perimeter.

“Zara spent most of her time crying and was very distressed.”

Zara and Elliott, 30, were arrested allegedly trying to leave the island nation, where they had travelled with the intention of ringing in the New Year.

The pair allegedly left their £300-a-night beach front Sugar Bay resort to return home following the test result.

They were held at airport security on suspicion of breaking strict coronavirus regulations.

Zara and Elliott could face an £18,000 fine each and up to a year in prison.

Island chief medical officer Dr Kenneth George revealed there were breaches of Covid-19 rules.

He told the newspaper: “There are three tourists who are of special interest.

“Two are in quarantine and one in police custody. Two were apprehended at the airport. This is a police matter and I trust that the appropriate evidence will be submitted.”