Rita Ora emerges from quarantine as singer finally completes mandatory 14 day isolation period

Rita Ora emerged from quarantine on Monday after the singer completed a mandatory 14-day isolation period following her arrival in Australia. 

The British star, 30, flew to Sydney from her native London two weeks ago in order to fulfill her latest TV commitment as a judge on talent show The Voice Australia. 

And she was given her first opportunity to leave the confines of her hotel after isolating with sister Elena, who has accompanied her on the trip.  

Here she comes: Rita Ora emerged from quarantine on Monday after the singer completed a mandatory 14-day isolation period following her arrival in Australia

Surrounded by a gauntlet of police officers, Rita emerged in the city’s bustling Central Business District wearing a precautionary face covering. 

As always the singer looked typically stylish, opting for a soft green blazer and matching shorts, teamed with a loose fitting sweater and vibrant yellow trainers. 

Sharing an Instagram post earlier that day, Rita admitted she was delighted to be in Sydney and was looking ahead to her role on The Voice. 

She wrote: ‘Honoured to be invited to work in a country full of such incredible talent!!! I can’t wait to get started with my @thevoiceau voiceau family and find the world’s next superstar!’  

Busy girl: The British star, 30, flew to Sydney from her native London two weeks ago in order to fulfill her latest TV commitment as a judge on talent show The Voice Australia

Busy girl: The British star, 30, flew to Sydney from her native London two weeks ago in order to fulfill her latest TV commitment as a judge on talent show The Voice Australia

Fresh air: She was given her first opportunity to leave the confines of her hotel after isolating with sister Elena, who has accompanied her on the trip

Fresh air: She was given her first opportunity to leave the confines of her hotel after isolating with sister Elena, who has accompanied her on the trip

Fresh air: She was given her first opportunity to leave the confines of her hotel after isolating with sister Elena, who has accompanied her on the trip

Centre of attention: Surrounded by a gauntlet of police officers, Rita emerged in the city's bustling Central Business District wearing a precautionary face covering

Centre of attention: Surrounded by a gauntlet of police officers, Rita emerged in the city’s bustling Central Business District wearing a precautionary face covering

Her work trip comes after she was branded ‘selfish’ by British police for holding a lockdown-flouting 30th birthday bash at west London restaurant Casa Cruz at the end of November. 

According to current rules listed on New South Wales’ official government site, quarantine is mandatory for all individuals landing in the state from abroad, with the exception of New Zealand.

A statement reads: ‘Under public health orders, people who arrive in Sydney from overseas or by vessel from another port outside of NSW must enter into quarantine in a designated accommodation facility for 14 days.’

Travellers are also subject to a quarantine fee of AU$4,000 for one adult, with AU$1,000 charged for each additional adult isolating with them. Children under 18 are charged AU$500, while those under three are free.

Smart: As always the singer looked typically stylish, opting for a soft green blazer and matching shorts, teamed with a loose fitting sweater and vibrant yellow trainers

Smart: As always the singer looked typically stylish, opting for a soft green blazer and matching shorts, teamed with a loose fitting sweater and vibrant yellow trainers

Controversy: Her work trip comes after she was branded 'selfish' by British police for holding a lockdown-flouting 30th birthday bash at a west London restaurant at the end of November

Controversy: Her work trip comes after she was branded ‘selfish’ by British police for holding a lockdown-flouting 30th birthday bash at a west London restaurant at the end of November

However, Rita was greeted with fierce backlash on her arrival in Australia, amid claims she was given special treatment to allow her into the country.

Australia’s shadow home affairs spokeswoman, Kristina Keneally, said Rita’s hotel spot meant her quarantine was at the expense of Australians desperately seeking to return home.

Australia’s strict COVID-19 laws only allow 4,250 international arrivals a week, which has meant around 37,000 Australian nationals are ‘stranded’ abroad unable to see their families.

Let's go: The singer made her way into a waiting car after crossing the sidewalk outside her hotel

Let’s go: The singer made her way into a waiting car after crossing the sidewalk outside her hotel

In good company: Rita's younger sister Elena joined her outside the hotel on Monday

In good company: Rita's younger sister Elena joined her outside the hotel on Monday

In good company: Rita’s younger sister Elena joined her outside the hotel on Monday

Ecstatic: Earlier that day Rita insisted she was delighted to be in Australia and couldn't wait to get to work on The Voice

Ecstatic: Earlier that day Rita insisted she was delighted to be in Australia and couldn’t wait to get to work on The Voice 

Labor MP Kristina Keneally complained that the singer was being given preferential treatment, saying: ‘It’s another example of Prime Minister Scott Morrison leaving Australians behind.’

‘There are still 40,000 Australians stranded overseas. Every celebrity who takes up a place in quarantine is a place denied to a stranded Australian,’ she also told The Guardian.

Reports of celebrities, including Matt Damon and Miranda Kerr, being granted permission to isolate in self-organised private residences to avoid Australia’s strict hotel quarantine regime have sparked backlash in Australia.

However, Rita did not organise to isolate in a private residence, meaning her quarantine counts towards Australia’s strict cap on international arrivals.

Testing takes place on day two and 10 of the isolation period, with a negative test allowing people to leave on day 14. While 14 days is the standard amount of time in isolation, if anyone refuses to comply they could be held for up to 24 days. 

Rita’s appearance in Sydney coems after the singer’s lockdown-flouting 30th birthday bash in November came back to haunt her as she was branded ‘selfish’ by police.

The party came shortly after she flew by private jet to Cairo on November 21 to perform at the five-star W Hotel.

She returned the next day and under government quarantine rules should have self-isolated for 14 days. Instead, she threw a birthday party on November 28 at the exclusive Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill. 

A hearing of Kensington and Chelsea Council’s licensing sub-committee heard how representatives for the singer offered the since-sacked manager £5,000 for the illegal opening – and the Notting Hill venue now faces losing its licence.

Charles Holland, who is representing the Met Police’s application, said at the hearing, held online due to COVID-19 restrictions, that Rita ‘selfishly wanted to flout the lockdown for financial gain and selfish pleasure’.  

He said at the hearing: ‘Police were advised that a party was being held on November 28 at the venue, Casa Cruz.

‘They were told large groups of people had arrived via the back door of the club, there was security and loud music was being played and this was all during the second national lockdown.

‘At the time venues had to close and stop providing food and drink,people were told to stay at home and it was unlawful to gather in groups of two or more.

‘What transpired was that the premises was hosting a party for a Ms Rita Ora, a well known celebrity.

‘The then manager at the time Scotti Bhattarai had been contacted and offered £5,000 for the use of the premises, he agreed and has admitted he was being greedy.’