A NSW couple accused of fleeing from Victorian health officials at Melbourne Airport have released a statement explaining why they left without quarantining.
Terry and Debbie Elford this afternoon released a statement saying officials at the airport were unable to definitively tell them whether or not they would have to quarantine.
Earlier today Victorian Health Officials said the pair absconded from officers and were facing fines of up to $19,000 each.
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"We really are very sorry for the mess this has caused," the Elfords said in the statement.
"Like hundreds of others on 1 January 2021, we got caught up with the confusion when the rules about entering Victoria changed.
"We had a permit, live in a green zone in NSW, were flying from Canberra airport which is allowed, and after we arrived in Tullamarine, we were stopped by DHHS officers who were not able to tell us whether or not we needed to quarantine, so after about an hour or so we walked away."
The pair said they attended a family BBQ before flying back to Canberra.
Once they noticed the story this morning, they made contact with local police in Goulburn and have been tested for COVID-19. They are currently isolating.
Earlier today Victoria's Commander of Testing Jeroen Weimar said the pair were facing huge fines.
"They absconded, they disappeared in a vehicle and they were next heard of in Goulburn in New South Wales," Mr Weimar said.
"We are working with the New South Wales authorities. They will be facing at least a $19,000 fine each and perhaps further breaches of Victorian public health regulations."
Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the two were now in Goulburn, in NSW.
"This is a very serious matter. We have established the link between New South Wales' cluster and the outbreak in Victoria. We are determined to get on top of it and I know that requires what appears to some people to be tough measures but the virus does not respect state borders," Mr Foley said.
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Mr Weimar urged people coming from NSW not to attempt to cross the Victorian border.
"It's very important now that anybody who is in New South Wales who has a particular need or desire to come back to Victoria, do not come to the border, do not get on a plane and come to the airport, because you will be turned back and you won't be able to apply for an exemption at the border or at the airport," he said.
"Those wishing to cross need to apply for an exemption online and wait at least 24-48 hours for their matter to be reviewed."
Mr Foley said there had been an enormous amount of co-operation between Victoria and NSW since the "wildly infectious" virus had tracked across state lines but that the patient who brought the virus had not yet been identified.
"It has hitched a ride from New South Wales to Black Rock. We've yet to establish exactly the vehicle that has done that but we have established the science that has had that happen," Mr Foley said.
