Gold Coast ‘Quarantine mum’ Gemma Mai released on a technicality after COVID quarantine

A former Miss Supercar stuck in a Melbourne quarantine hotel after an ill-advised trip has been released in a quirky twist. READ THE FULL REPORT

THE Gold Coast mother stuck in a Melbourne quarantine hotel following an ill-advised trip to Victoria has been released - days before the end of a mandatory 14-day isolation period.

Tweed radiology worker and mum Gemma Mai has been in quarantine since flying into the state on January 4th.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

Gemma Mai in hotel quarantine. Photo: Supplied

Victorian health authorities detained her because she entered NSW in the 14 days proceeding her journey, living one street from the QLD border, which was against their COVID-19 hotspot rules at the time.

However as of 6pm Monday, the Victorian Government opened its border to regional NSW under its new ‘traffic light’ hotspot system, resulting in her release.

Ms Mai previously told the Bulletin that she was unaware of the border rules and desperate to return home to her job and her 11-year-old son, who was staying with his grandparents.

‘QUARANTINE MUM’ MAKES CLAIMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ATTACKS

Tweed health worker and model Gemma Mai. Photo: Instagram

Now released, Ms Mai said she plans to fly back to Queensland in a few days time.

The former Miss Supercar had tested negative for the virus.

“I will spend a few days here and then fly home, I need to get my head around it all,” she told the Bulletin.

“I have had to talk to six different people from six different departments to get to this point.

“I couldn’t believe I was put into quarantine in the first place.

“Right now I am just packing my bags to get out of here, I feel relieved like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

“Why weren’t we put just back on a plane and sent home?”