Rita Ora should have been isolating after Egypt gig when she threw lockdown birthday party
Written by News on 06/12/2020
Rita Ora has apologised for breaking another set of coronavirus rules after it was revealed she should have been in travel quarantine when she threw a birthday party in lockdown.
The singer flew by private jet to Egypt on 21 November to perform at a five-star hotel and travelled back to the UK the next day, reports the Mail on Sunday.
She should have self-isolated for 14 days in line with government travel regulations, but instead threw a 30th birthday party at a west London restaurant on 28 November.
Admitting a second breach, she said in a statement: “I recently flew to Egypt to perform at a corporate event for a private company, where my travel party followed protocol and presented negative COVID tests upon entry, as required by Egyptian authorities.
“Upon my return to Britain, I should have followed government advice and isolated myself for the required period.
“As you know, I didn’t follow government advice and… I apologise again, unreservedly.”
She also claimed she and everyone in her support bubble have since tested negative for coronavirus.
Warning others not to follow her example, she added: “While I realise the apologetic words of a pop star might not carry much weight, especially one who has broken the rules like I have, I do realise that some might seek to follow my example.
“My message to them is simple: please don’t.”
She said the “guilt and shame I’ve carried this week for my mistake aren’t worth it” and urged people to follow government advice and “the voices of the heroes of the NHS”.
The star promised to donate the fee for her Egypt concert to charity and said she would “take criticisms coming my way because I deserve them”.
Ora also posted an apology on her Instagram after news of her party came to light.
She said she was “deeply sorry” and “embarrassed”, adding: “It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK.”
But despite the Metropolitan Police confirming they attended the restaurant after reports of a COVID-19 breach, she did not mention she also broke travel quarantine rules.
Ora has received widespread criticism for hosting more than 30 friends, including models Cara and Poppy Delevingne, while England was in lockdown.
Her mother Vera Sahatciu is a psychiatrist and opted to return to work for the NHS during the pandemic.
She lives alone, so is entitled to a support bubble.
Asked how she was finding England’s second lockdown, she told The Sunday Times Style: “I’m being patient, getting through it like everyone else.”
(c) Sky News 2020: Rita Ora should have been isolating after Egypt gig when she threw lockdown birthday party
