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Artist News Legal
Rita Ora apologises again after second COVID rule breach emerges
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 7 December 2020
Rita Ora has apologised again, after it emerged that her 30th birthday party last month was a double breach of COVID-19 rules. Aside from the fact that she shouldn’t have been having a birthday party at all, she should also have been in self-isolation at the time of the event.
According to the Mail On Sunday, Ora flew by private jet to Egypt on 21 Nov in order to perform at the W Hotel in Cairo. Upon her return the next day, she should have begun a fourteen day isolation. Instead, of course, she attended that party on 28 Nov, for which she has already apologised and offered to pay a £10,000 fine.
In a new statement yesterday, Ora said: “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 for that I apologised earlier this week. I apologise again, unreservedly”.
She continued: “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”.
“The guilt and shame I’ve carried this week for my mistake aren’t worth it”, she added. “Instead, continue to listen to the government advice and the voices of the heroes of the NHS and take the required precautions. I will take the criticisms coming my way because I deserve them”.
In an interview published by The Sunday Times this weekend – conducted two weeks prior to her birthday – Ora said that she planned to celebrate with just her parents, due to lockdown. In her previous apology, Ora said that the “small gathering” she attended instead was “a spur of the moment decision”.
