Rita Ora has been forced to apologise again after another violation of coronavirus restrictions.
Last week, the singer apologised after she was caught breaking England’s lockdown when she attended a party at a London restaurant in celebration of her 30th birthday.
Rita has now admitted she failed to self-isolate for two weeks after returning from a work trip to Egypt.
Egypt is not on the UK’s ‘safe list’ of countries, meaning anyone who returns from there is required to quarantine.
After the Mail On Sunday revealed she attended her birthday party just days after returning from Cairo, Rita issued a statement apologising for breaking the rules.
She said (via Metro): “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. I would like to add that I have been tested subsequently, including today, and remain negative for Covid-19 and the same is true for all members of my immediate family who form my support bubble.”
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. Instead, continue to listen to the government advice and the voices of the heroes of the NHS and take the required precautions.”
Rita said she would “take the criticisms coming my way because I deserve them”, continuing: “I hope to one day make it up to the public who have given me so much support over the years and, in particular, make it up to the heroes of the NHS.
“That is my promise to everyone disappointed in my behaviour. In the meantime, I will be donating my fee from Egypt to charity.
“Be better than I have been and learn from my mistakes so you don’t have to learn the hard way yourselves. Love, Rita.”
After pictures of her and her friends leaving her birthday party were published in the press last week, Rita wrote on her Instagram story that she was “deeply sorry for breaking the rules” and called her “spur of the moment decision” to attend the event an “inexcusable error of judgment”.
Scotland Yard confirmed that officers had been called to an address in Notting Hill amid a breach of Covid regulations, with Downing Street also issuing a warning to celebrities, including Rita, who have been flouting coronavirus rules.
