Gizzi Erskine has slammed ‘some wally for Love Island‘ as she claimed they caused Barbados into implementing a new curfew rule and cancelling her ‘much-needed’ paid gig.
The chef, 41, took to Instagram on Monday to clarify she is not on a holiday but is instead ‘locked down’ on the Caribbean island with her model friend Sydney Lima, despite going ‘above and beyond protocol’ in preparation for her performance.
Media personality Gizzi’s post follows reality star Zara Holland’s recent charge with breaching coronavirus laws as she attempted to flee the country with her boyfriend Elliott Love after he tested positive for Covid.
‘It puts us to shame’: Gizzi Erskine has slammed ‘some wally for Love Island’ as she claimed they caused Barbados into implementing a new curfew and cancelling her ‘much-needed’ gig
Alongside a series of idyllic beach images, the TV star explained why she was initially hesitant about sharing her trip on social media.
The food writer wrote: ‘Happy new year all of you. Haven’t really taken to social media because I have been terrified about the perception of the appropriateness of this trip and so much has happened in my personal life in the last few days I’m feeling pretty battered and out of control.
‘A year always starts with good intentions and I’m not sure how we keep processing everything that’s going on so sharply into a ‘fresh start’.’
The Wandsworth native went on to express her frustration after the plug was pulled on her DJ set as the night curfew – which is currently in place from 9pm until 5am – was called into action from January 2.
Under scrutiny: The 41-year-old chef’s post follows reality star Zara Holland’s recent charge (pictured in 2016) with breaching coronavirus laws
‘It’s a sad and lovely time’: The media personality revealed she is ‘locked down’ on the island after going ‘beyond protocol’ in preparation for her gig
The previous curfew time frame was from midnight until 5am, and 39 new cases have been recorded in Barbados between December 31 and January 4, according to records.
Gizzi penned: ‘So to talk about the trip. I’m here to help launch my good friend and fellow chefs new business with a (much needed paid) DJ gig and some kitchen support.
‘It goes without saying a paid gig in Barbados was a dream job and both @sydneylimaa and I went above and beyond protocol and have now had all our clean test.
‘Barbados went into curfew lockdown at 5pm [5am] on the 31st, thus meaning the gig was cancelled. My dear friend as with so many people in hospitality has had a huge knock to all of her hard work.
‘I have been terrified about the perception of the appropriateness of this trip’: Alongside beach snaps, the TV star explained why she was hesitant about sharing her trip on social media
Bittersweet: The Wandsworth native went on to express her frustration after the plug was pulled on her DJ set as the night curfew was called into action from January 2
‘It’s a zillion times better than being in the UK’: She admitted that while she’s been ‘put to shame’ by the cancellation, she sees the situation as ‘no real problem’
‘Barbados is in lockdown because some wally from love island went out after knowing they had Covid. Now the island has more cases than it has ever had within the whole 9 months than it has now got within just one week.’
She admitted that while she’s been ‘put to shame’ by the cancellation, she sees the situation as ‘no real problem’ due to England’s new strict lockdown rules.
The social media star added: ‘The Barbados government have been so proactive it puts us to Shame. What h the is does mean is that now me and @sydneylimaa are semi locked down in Barbados.
‘Which is no real problem because it is a zillion times better than being in the UK. I feel the need to say this though as some people think I am gloating by post for being out here.
‘I am very very lucky to be here but this is not a holiday. Most places are closed and there is talk of the beaches locking down so it will be no different to your lockdown, maybe just a bit sunnier.
‘The irony isn’t lost on me@that at the beginning of lockdown number one (the good days of hope) me and @professorgreen decided to launch @gizandgreens Monday night fake. Awawy so if you all say I. We can bring you some bajan fast food. If you’ve never had cheffeette you be missing out.
‘It’s a sad and lovely time. I desperately miss my bubble and my cats and now all I have is @sydneylimaa @sophiemichell until we crack the mess. @gizandgreens this week then? maybe Thursday?’ (sic)
Former Miss England Zara, 25, has since been charged with breaking COVID-19 laws and could be fined up to £18,000 and face a year in jail after she and Elliott, 30, were arrested by officials at Grantley Adams International Airport.
Oh dear: The beauty pageant queen attempted to flee the country with her boyfriend Elliott Love after he tested positive for Covid
Zara, who will appear in court on the Caribbean island on Wednesday, and her partner breached their quarantine conditions to remain at their Sugar Bay resort hotel when Yarm native Elliott tested positive for the virus last Tuesday.
The couple were initially placed in isolation at a specialist Covid-19 quarantine facility in northern Barbados but Zara has since been released after testing negative for a second time for the virus and is now confined to her hotel room.
The model issued an apology to the government and the people of Barbados after breaking quarantine.
In a statement, the beauty pageant queen claimed her decision to break Barbados’ strict coronavirus rules had been a ‘massive mix-up and misunderstanding’.
The statement, which was published by Barbados Today news website, said: ‘I firstly want to apologise to the entire country of Barbados for what has been a massive mix up and misunderstanding during my most recent stay.
‘I am currently working 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.’
In Barbados this week, the Daily Nation reported: ‘The couple, who have been dating for four years, arrived here last Sunday aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight and were to be quarantining in a Christ Church hotel. Visitors have to be cleared after two mandatory tests, which usually take about three days.
‘However, after Ministry of Health officials informed them that one of them had tested positive, the couple apparently removed their red wristbands, boarded a taxi to Grantley Adams International Airport and attempted to book a flight back to the United Kingdom aboard British Airways.
‘Sources said while the male is in isolation until he recovers from the virus, the 25-year-old model who won a major beauty contest in the UK, was under quarantine until tests prove that she did not have the virus. However, if she turns out to be positive, she too will be isolated.’
Before arriving in Barbados visitors have to fill out an online form and preferably include an upload of their negative COVID-19 PCR test result.
It is then mandatory for travellers from High-Risk and Medium-Risk countries to receive a second test while on island.
While waiting for the results visitors then have to restrict their movements to their accommodation and cannot have visitors.
If the result is positive, then the person is assessed at a government facility for a minimum of 24 hours. After this there is the option to self-isolate at your own expense or go to a government isolation location, such as the Paragon Military Base.
However if a positive test is returned, the visitor cannot return home. They have to isolate until they have recovered. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation or return home, Visit Barbados explains.
As of Monday, the country had just 383 Covid cases and only seven deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Pictured: Zara’s partner, 30, is holed up at The Paragon Isolation Centre after he tested positive for Covid