Newlyweds forced to quarantine rather than returning to Melbourne on Spirit of Tasmania

Newlyweds Julia and Rick Wintle boarded the ship on Thursday afternoon and didn't have the chance to disembark when the border closure was announced.

Mrs Wintle said they told authorities they would return on the ship on Friday night rather than go into hotel quarantine. However, when they boarded a bus to go into quarantine for the day Mrs Wintle said they were told they would be going to Hobart.

The couple were checked into quarantine and directed to wait until they returned a negative COVID-19 test, which came on Sunday.

"We were in the wrong place at the wrong time and that is how we feel because we were told we were able to go back on the boat," she said. "I could understand if we had been to a COVID exposure site, but we hadn't. There are so many people out there suffering and it feels really unfair."

A Tasmanian Government spokesperson said hotel quarantine was required to "keep the passengers within the quarantine chain".

The spokesman said there were enough quarantine facilities in Devonport.

"Sometimes quick decisions have to be made to ensure we keep Tasmanians safe and we will not hesitate to do that," they said.

The couple were granted an exemption to leave Tasmania on Monday.

"The biggest thing is the need to have clear communication," Mrs Wintle said.

"Remember we are human and we have our money and we are coming to support Tasmania. We will be planning another honeymoon, but I don't think we will be coming to Tasmania again."