A mum has hit out at track and trace rules after she was 'pinged' over a positive case - on a flight she didn't book or board.
Tracy Flanagan, 49, had travelled to amber-list Ibiza with her partner on July 14, reports ChronicleLive.
Rules meant the couple, from Stanley, County Durham, had to take a Covid test 48 hours before their return journey to Newcastle.
But they both tested positive - meaning they were forced to isolate in their hotel room for 10 days and miss their flight.
After returning negative results on July 29, Tracy booked flights for €60 each for the following day to return to the North East.
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But they were astonished when they landed at Newcastle Airport to be pinged on the NHS app.
It told them to isolate immediately - meaning they missed the chance to stock up on essentials.
Tracy said: "We'd taken one step out of arrivals and we both got the notification. We looked at our phones and my heart just sank.
"We were in complete disbelief. We just couldn't understand why.
"We'd been in isolation then on a flight with people who had tested negative.
"We went straight to our homes and I've still not seen my son because he doesn't want to come back and isolate.
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"We didn't even have time to go grab a pint of milk, just things you do when you come back from holiday."
The app has been heavily criticised after businesses were forced to close due to staff and workers being told they needed to isolate.
The Department of Health and Social Care has now revealed that the 'logic' behind the apps will be changed meaning fewer contacts will be instructed to isolate.
Tracy said she dialled 119 and an NHS England operator told her it is down to the track and trace team to reverse the isolation decision.
After receiving a call from track and trace the following day they confirmed the reasoning for their isolation was due to being in close contact with a positive case on a flight on July 26.
However, the couple have stressed they were not on that flight. In fact, they were never booked to fly on that date.
Tracy has now had to send evidence that they were isolating in Ibiza and provide confirmation of the new flights they boarded on July 30.
She is still awaiting a response but in the meantime she says they are both isolating until August 5 in fear of being fined £1,000 for breaking the rules.
Tracy, who is a curriculum developer for college and universities, said: "You're just imprisoned in your own home.
"I'm in isolation and we have no idea how it stops.
"We don't want to go out because we don't want a fine. I've taken tests here which are negative.
"The system is an absolute mess and it needs changing.
"It's the fact no one is taking ownership of the situation. You can't call the track and trace team and 119 pass you on.
"A lot of people would just say stuff that and go out but I want to do the right thing.
"If this has happened to us, then who knows how many other people this has happened to."
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
