Ocean Grove police officer couple forced to postpone wedding after alleged crook tests positive to Covid

A Geelong couple who should be tying the knot today has been forced to postpone after the bride-to-be came into contact with a Covid-infected alleged crook.

Two Geelong region police officers have had to delay their wedding because an alleged crook has tested positive to coronavirus.

Ocean Grove couple Steve Rea and Arissa Khanthakaew were supposed to get married on Thursday until she ­arrested an alleged offender who later tested positive to Covid-19.

Ocean Grove couple and police officers Steven Rea and Arissa Khanthakaew

“Unfortunately, she did the job too well,” Mr Rea told the Geelong Advertiser on Wednesday.

“Arissa was working on Friday night when it happened – that was the last job on her last shift before going on leave for a week to prepare for the wedding.

“At the time of the arrest, Arissa was notified that the co-offender had tested to positive to the virus, and was told to be prepared that it may not be a good outcome.

“On Sunday evening she got a phone call from work to tell her the offender she ­arrested had tested positive and that she would be required to isolate for 14 days.”

Mr Rea said Ms Khanthakaew, who is fully vaccinated, had been wearing full PPE, including glasses, gloves and a face mask during the arrest, but the offender was ­mask-less.

“Arissa got tested on Monday morning and a negative result came back on Tuesday,” he said.

Ocean Grove couple and police officers Steven Rea and Arissa Khanthakaew

“It’s annoying but you just have to do what’s necessary – we are not exempt from the rules.

“We know the pitfalls of the job and that every time we get sent out there’s a possibility the people we are dealing with may test positive to the virus.

“Leading up to the wedding we were praying and hoping that as it got closer to the day we didn’t go to any jobs that had a Covid-positive person.”

Although the pair were disappointed to find out the bad news, Mr Rea said every bad situation has a “silver ­lining”.

Ocean Grove couple and police officers Steven Rea and Arissa Khanthakaew

“At our wedding, which was supposed to be ­tomorrow, we were only ­allowed to have 10 people,” he said.

“We’re hoping to move the wedding to November when we have a few days off.

“Which by then, hopefully, Arissa’s parents will be able to come down from Melbourne for our special day.”

From Friday, when restrictions ease in Victoria, couples getting married in regional Victoria can have up to 30 fully vaccinated guests ­indoors and 100 fully vaccinated guests outdoors.

When Victoria reaches 80 per cent double-dose vaccination rates about a week later, travel from Melbourne into regional Victoria will be allowed again and weddings across the state can have 150 fully vaccinated guests ­indoors and 500 outdoors.

Originally published as Ocean Grove police officer couple forced to postpone wedding after alleged crook tests positive to Covid