Dorset family kept 5,000 miles apart by COVID test nightmare
Doctors say it could be months before Leon Gentle is allowed to come home
Last updated 23rd Jul 2021
"I could still potentially be here for up to 90 days testing positive", says Dorset-resident Leon Gentle while on a video call with his wife 5,000 miles apart.
He and his wife Jill are telling their story together in their garden so others might avoid their ordeal.
Leon left for his father's funeral in South Africa one month ago, double-jabbed and feeling confident about the trip.
But, he tested positive just before the return flight meaning he wouldn't be allowed back to England.
"I didn't in my wildest dreams think I'd get COVID for a second time, especially being double vaccinated and then I didn't think I could still test positive after I'm no longer contagious", Leon said.
In fact, it's been 17 days since he tested positive the first time and he's tested positive ever since.
"So I was very surprised when I saw the doctor, the doctor said 'oh, yep, you're probably going to be able to go home in about three months time.'
"I was surprised 'what do you mean?', and she said 'people still test positive between three weeks and up to 90 days.
"I just have to keep on testing until eventually I'm negative and I can come back home to the UK to see my small children and my wife."
It comes at an already difficult time for the family having lost Leon's dad last month who they last saw in 2019.
Both he and Jill were aware going to a red-list country would mean self-isolating but they were expecting him to be back by 19th July.
Jill said, "It was really sad losing my father-in-law. We were all close.
"So then we had to make the choice, we can't all go because it's school and quarantining at this end would be really difficult with children and quite costly. So I think Leon made the right call to go.
"Quarantining for 10 days at a hotel is not too bad if you're just on your own so we decided that would be a good thing
"We're all well and we're fine. Leon's fine, so that's the main thing, he's healthy.
"We just were surprised and we didn't know A) that it was likely he would get COVID and B) that he could repeat test positive."
The embassy in South Africa are unable to help reunite the family, as were the Home Office.
Leon wanted to give special mention to his workplace, Workday, who he says have been incredibly supportive.
But the couple say they don't want anyone else to go through their ordeal.
Jill added:
"I would just like people to know that this is possible. I mean this is a red-list country so there are lots of concerns but I think, maybe naively, or it just wasn't out there in public knowledge, we didn't know we could have prolonged time apart like this.
"I mean, if someone can get us back together and bring Leon home then amazing, but we're holding out for a day when he's got a negative test."