Love Island star Zara Holland is due to appear in court in Barbados for allegedly breaching coronavirus laws, police have said.
The model and former Miss Great Britain, who appeared on the hit TV show in 2016, tried to leave the country despite being told to isolate after her arrival, the Royal Barbados Police Force told Sky News.
According to local media, the 25-year-old’s boyfriend had tested positive for COVID-19 and is in quarantine.
The Love Island star arrived on the island on 27 December. Pic: AP
She is due to appear in court on Wednesday and could face a hefty fine or even jail time, reports suggest. More than 1,700 people have signed an online petition calling for the star to be jailed.
In a statement, Barbados station sergeant Michael Blackman said Holland, 25, arrived on the Caribbean island on 27 December and was tested for coronavirus the following day. She was instructed to remain at the Sugar Bay Hotel in Hastings, he said, until the results were known.
On 29 December, it was discovered she had left without permission, the officer said. She was later intercepted at the Grantley Adams International Airport, apparently attempting to leave.
The Love Island star was served with a summons on 2 January and will appear at the District A magistrates’ court on Wednesday, the statement said.
It is unclear whether Holland’s boyfriend, Elliott Love, is also facing charges.
Police did not give any information about him or say that he had been arrested in connection with any breach.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting a British man and woman following their arrest in Barbados, and are in contact with their family.”
In a statement published by Barbados Today, said to be from a representative of her family, Holland is quoted as describing the incident as a “massive mix-up and misunderstanding” and apologised to “the entire country of Barbados”.
The statement 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.”
British nationals working or travelling abroad should abide by the laws of the country they are in and follow COVID rules.
With large parts of the UK now in Tier 4, people can only travel internationally with a legally permitted reason to leave home – although on 27 December, when Holland travelled, restrictions were not as tight.
Sky News has attempted to contact representatives for Holland for comment.