Eillen and Max Day arrived at the Echuca border checkpoint on Wednesday afternoon only to be denied entry into Victoria because they had been in NSW.
The couple had travelled to Grafton in the state’s north – almost 15 hours away from Moama by car.
When the borders closed on New Year’s Eve, they were left stranded.
And when they called the DHHS on Monday, January 4, they were told they had 48 hours to get home only to be turned around by police at the checkpoint.
They were eventually taken in by the Border Inn where they remained until Friday morning after receiving an exemption.
“The staff have been terrific in helping us out throughout everything,” Mr Day said.
“I have prostate cancer and my wife suffers from type 2 diabetes, so we only had enough medication for the time we planned to be away for.
“When we were originally trying to get back, we went to Grafton hospital to get the COVID test but were turned away because we weren’t getting any symptoms.
“It was a frustrating process because it never felt like we weren’t getting anywhere.
“We’re just glad to be going home now.”
Ema and Jose Bermeo will never forget their first trip to Echuca-Moama.
The couple had booked to stay the Border Inn for three nights but when they arrived, they didn’t realise they had crossed into NSW.
“Everything online was advertising Echuca-Moama as one town so we didn’t think we would have any problems,” Jose said.
But upon arrival at their accommodation, the couple learnt they had crossed the border.
It sparked the Border Inn into action as staff quickly contacted DHHS to explain the situation.
The Bermeos were soon given an exemption to return home, but first underwent a COVID-19 test at Echuca Regional Health, with police escorting them to the hospital.
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