Rita Ora finally leaves her mandatory 14-day quarantine in Sydney

Rita Ora has finally emerged from her mandatory 14-day quarantine in Sydney, as she prepares for her new role as a coach on the brand new series of The Voice Australia.

The singer and actress, 30, was flanked by police as she emerged from the Meriton Suites Pitt Street hotel on Monday morning, after flying over from the UK and spending two weeks confined in the premises alongside her sister and music manager, Elena.

The Hot Right Now songstress was previously branded ‘selfish’ by British police after holding a lockdown-flouting 30th birthday event in London in November, shortly after breaking the rules again by jetting to Cairo and failing to self-isolate on her return.    

However, she appears to have learned her lesson after issuing two public apologies, and has played by the rules  since touching down in Australia earlier this month. 

Rita looked effortlessly chic in a lemon blazer and shorts combo, which she teamed with a beige jumper and an eye-catching pair of yellow sneakers.

She completed her look with a pair of oversized sunglasses and a COVID-safe protective face mask.

The Masked Singer UK judge whisked her locks into a casual bun, and appeared to wear minimal make-up to subtly enhance her already striking features.

Her big sister Elena looked equally as stunning in a pair of red satin trousers and a white shirt, teamed with some netted white stilettos. 

Rita spent time in quarantine to commence her new role on the popular singing competition alongside the new line-up of judges; Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy. 

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.

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.

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, 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, who reportedly travelled with an entourage, did not organise to isolate in a private residence, meaning her quarantine will count towards Australia’s strict cap on international arrivals.

Ensuring that visitors touching down at Sydney airport adhere to the country’s strict rules, the Australian army and police service were on hand to greet Rita when she landed in the country, and helped with her luggage.

There was no missing the star, who stood out in a pair of neon orange trousers, but she concealed her face with a balaclava style face mask and wrapped up in a camel coat. 

Although reportedly getting to enjoy the luxury of first class travel for the long flight, once she landed in Australia Rita was marched from the airport to a minibus and then shut into her hotel room to quarantine.

Explaining that there was no way for the star to get out of quarantining on arrival, a source told The Sun: ‘It’s very clear how ­seriously the Australians are taking their border control.

‘They have no time for rule-breakers. Border agents and the military are involved — and she had to comply.’

Reflecting on the recent furore the Anywhere singer sparked back in the UK, the source added: ‘She certainly doesn’t want any more trouble over the rules. She learnt her lesson.’

Rita is believed to have stayed at the five star Meriton Suites Pitt Street hotel, which is one of Sydney’s tallest hotels and has a choice of Studio Suites 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites and indulgent Penthouse Collection Suites. 

It comes after the singer came under fire after throwing her lavish party on November 28 at the exclusive Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, but was caught out. 

There was only supposed to be around seven guests at the events, but by 9pm, around 20 guests reportedly showed up. 

The party came amid another rule break, as she had previously flown 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 had her party.

For this she apologised with the following statement: ‘Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday.

‘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… I’m deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk.

‘This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement. Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility.

‘I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe. Even though this won’t make it right, I want to sincerely apologise.’

The infamous birthday party at Casa Cruz saw Rita being fined £10,000, the manager of the restaurant sacked and the venue facing losing its licence.

Making matters worse, she had previously pretended on social media that she was simply spending her birthday quietly with her parents, even quoted in a prior interview with The Times saying the same thing.

She was also forced into another grovelling apology for breaching strict coronavirus rules by flying to Cairo and not isolating on return.

Rita 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… I apologise again, unreservedly.

‘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 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.’