DELTA MAN SAYS SORRY FOR LOCKDOWN
THE man whose actions allegedly led to a three-day lockdown in the state’s south has apologised for the trouble he admits he’s caused, claiming he didn’t know he was required to quarantine.
Speaking to 7Tasmania’s Nightly News, Tim Gunn said he had moved to Tasmania to live with his partner and her daughter.
He said he hoped Tasmanians would be able to forgive him.
“I would like to start by saying how terribly sorry I am to the state of Tasmania and for the trouble I’ve caused,” Mr Gunn said.
“I would hope sometime soon Tasmania could find it in their heart to forgive me.”
The 31-year-old flew into Hobart Airport last week and was taken to the Travelodge to quarantine.
But he left hotel quarantine and allegedly spent 18 hours in the community before he was picked up by police, later testing positive to the Delta strain of Covid-19.
The positive test sent shockwaves through the community and resulted in the snap lockdown. Mr Gunn pleaded ignorance, claiming he did not realise he needed to quarantine, despite the fact he was taken to the Travelodge and given a room.
“I rang public health, I told them everything,” Mr Gunn told 7Tasmania Nightly News.
“Like I had my pass and everything like that and I produced a negative test before I left and they said I did everything right and that I didn’t need to quarantine.
“I was taken there (to the Travelodge) and I was told I didn’t have to quarantine and of course I chose not to.”
On Saturday, Premier Peter Gutwein said Mr Gunn had been rejected for a G2G pass, but still turned up to Tasmania. Mr Gunn denied allegations he had escaped.
“I didn’t escape or anything like that, I simply walked out,” he said.
“I did not do this on purpose, it definitely wasn’t an act of selfishness or carelessness.
“I am sorry for all of this, like I said I didn’t plan for this to happen at all and I’m not that type of guy that just doesn’t care.”
Mr Gunn has been fined more than $3100 for breaching quarantine, but has not been charged. Mr Gutwein has called for authorities to “throw the book at him”, asking Tasmania Police what other penalties could be available.
Tasmania Police Deputy Commissioner Donna Adams on Saturday said further investigations would occur once the Public Health response to the situation finished.