Caroline Marks was unable to board the charter flight to Australia on Saturday, March 6 due to a positive COVID-19 test result from Friday, March 5. It has been determined that the original test was a "false positive" based on three subsequent negative test results and therefore Marks has been cleared to travel. She has arrived in Australia and is now in quarantine in advance of the World Surf League's (WSL) Championship Tour events.
Marks' sample from March 5 was a "borderline positive" result and per the lab's standard operating procedures, her sample was retested and returned a positive result. In accordance with the WSL's health and safety plan, Marks immediately self-isolated at that time. Marks had previously tested negative four days prior and had been self-isolating in advance of the charter flight to Australia. In accordance with the WSL's protocols, Marks was retested to confirm whether the March 5 results were a "false positive". Marks was administered a rapid antigen test on March 6 and PCR tests on March 7 and 8, all of which produced a negative result. All tests were processed by the same lab, which holds a Certificate of GMP Compliance of a Manufacture from the Australian Government Department of Health Therapeutic Goods Administration, and is also CLIA licensed and FDA HCT/P registered.
Based upon that information she has been cleared for entry into Australia and her exemption to travel was transferred from the WSL charter flight to a commercial flight on March 9. In accordance with Australian federal and state requirements, Marks is undertaking 14 days of mandatory quarantine and will receive a medical clearance from public health officials before entering the general community.