Jesinta Franklin, Rachael Finch react to Christmas COVID border closures

Jesinta Franklin said she and AFL star Buddy have had their Christmas plans “ruined” thanks to last-minute coronavirus border closures.

Last-minute border closures in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have thrown Christmas plans into chaos for many, including AFL golden couple Jesinta and Buddy Franklin.

The former Miss Universe Australia has revealed that their Christmas plans have been completely “ruined” after a Northern Beaches coronavirus cluster recently forced borders shut in other states.

“Today’s news of border closures has ruined our plans to be with family for Christmas,” Franklin wrote in a sombre Instagram post on Sunday.

Jesinta said she and Buddy have had their Christmas plans “ruined” due to border closures. Picture: Instagram

Lance and Jesinta Franklin. Picture: Instagram

“After such a tough year and being separated from loved ones for long periods of time, Christmas together felt like the light at the end of the tunnel.

“So many in the same or worse situations … so wanted to take this time to send out love to everyone hurting today and also a reminder to give thanks for the health and safety of loved ones. The most important thing we can each do this Christmas is to check in with one another. Text, call, FaceTime, DM … this is going to be a tough end to the year for so many. Staying connected even though we may be apart is essential. Love to all.”

This year will mark their daughter Tallulah’s first Christmas.

Jesinta Franklin says her Christmas has been ruined this year due to border closures.

What began as a celebratory year for the couple, following the birth of their first child in February, resulted in them being forced apart when Sydney Swans star Buddy entered an AFL quarantine hub in Queensland.

Fellow model Steph Claire Smith, who is pregnant, broke down in tears in a since-deleted Instagram video, after revealing that she is unable to spend Christmas with her family because she’s in quarantine in Melbourne after a recent visit to Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where the outbreak occurred.

Steph Claire Smith broke down in tears over her changed Christmas plans.

Steph Claire Smith.

“Self-quarantining for the next 14 days means no Christmas with family,” she wrote.

“After the year we’ve had, this is just the rotten cherry on top. Going to cry when I need to, scream when I want to and lift myself up whenever I can.”

Rachael Finch was also impacted by the border closures, after being left with very little time to travel to Queensland for the holidays.

The TV presenter said she was sleep-deprived but managed to catch the last flight to

Queensland to go and visit family who she hasn’t seen in two years.

Rachel Finch reveals Christmas travel nightmare after border closures.

“Oh my goodness, it has been a massive 12 hour whirlwind, we literally got on the last flight to Gold Coast yesterday,” Finch said in an Instagram video.

“We are now on our way up to Cairns. We heard the borders were closing and jumped on the plane and were lucky enough to get in … Because there’s no flights from Gold Coast to Townsville, we’re going up to Cairns and grabbing a car and driving down today.”

Channel 7 presenter Angela Cox was left in tears after her flight to Queensland was cancelled but eventually managed to get the last flight out on a different airline.

“I feel like I am holding a Golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory,” Cox wrote.

“They cancelled my flight to the GC - the last flight in before cut off - and I was in tears thinking I’d miss this time with my mum.

Angela Cox broke down in tears at the airport after her flight to Queensland was cancelled due to border closures. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“ … In the end @virginaustralia came through thanks to Saraya (not sure of spelling) 🙏🏼 I have worked almost every Christmas of my career and normally don’t mind missing out on what is a special family day ... but I couldn’t miss this one. I bawled like a baby when they found this seat for me. I have never been more grateful to get on a plane. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Merry Christmas everyone. I don’t need any presents. This is the best gift ever.”

The Morning Show co-host Kylie Gillies revealed her heartache after having to leave her family behind to get a last-minute flight to Queensland to see her parents.

TV presenter Kylie Gillies jets to Brisbane before border closures. Picture: Instagram

“Never packed so fast in my life. As the border shuts in a few hours, I scrambled to get a flight into QLD,” she wrote.

“I reckon I got the last ticket, on the last flight out tonight to Brisbane. Perhaps foolishly, I’d hoped with all my might we could hang in for 48 hours or so … not to be … Mum & Dad’s is the destination..but my 3 boys aren’t with me. Hoping for a Christmas miracle somehow. A short border close?? Almost everyone I know has had their Christmas plans skittled in one or another. My heart goes out to all of you.”

Former Bachelor winner Chelsie McLeod was forced to cut her trip to Sydney short in order to make it back to Melbourne for Christmas.

“Sydney trip 2.0 didn’t quite go to plan, and decided to cut it short and fly back home. However was so so good to see some beautiful friends! Rolling that 2020 wave!” she wrote.

On Sunday, 30 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Sydney contracted through community transmission, with 28 linked to the cluster believed to have spread from Avalon RSL and Avalon bowling club last week.

Subsequently, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced tightened covid restrictions.