Elton John confirms face mask support after reportedly breaking rules while spotted without one in Italy

Elton John has spoken out in support of face masks after he was reportedly spotted without one in Italy, leading to a complaint.

The Rocketman singer was visiting the island of Capri with family when he was allegedly photographed sans mask on the terrace of the Grand Hotel Quisisana this week.

It is currently mandatory for people to wear face masks in outdoor public areas in Campania, as the region battles a surge in coronavirus cases.

Codacons, a national consumer affairs association, then filed a complaint to local and regional authorities. 

“The rules are the same for everybody,” said Carlo Rienzi, president of the association (as per The Telegraph). “The people of Campania are obliged to wear masks outside and the same goes for VIPs and famous people.”

Responding in a statement to The Guardian, a rep for Elton said: “Elton is respectful of local rules and fully supportive of wearing a mask in public to protect himself and others. When pictured, he was at an outdoors restaurant, on his way to his table to sit down and eat with his family. He can clearly be seen putting a mask on immediately after.”

The Mayor of Capri Marino Lembo told the publication he would investigate the claims, but felt they were “a bit exaggerated”.

“It seems he was sitting on the hotel terrace with his family, distancing…” he said. “Maybe without a mask, as that’s what you can do when you are sitting down in a bar or restaurant,” he said. “I don’t know whether he was walking around Capri without one… It’s not as if you go and disturb someone while they’re on holiday… but I will do stiff checks to find out.”

“Fines are only imposed when [breaking the rule] is confirmed,” he added.

According to The Telegraph, John’s friend Roberto Russo said the star traveled to the hotel from a yacht in an electric buggy while wearing a mask.

“As the law permits, he drank an aperitif without wearing a mask. He did not step foot in the streets of Capri,” Russo told Ansa, Italy’s national news agency.

“We were the only people at the bar and the return to the yacht took place in the same way, with masks worn.”

Elton is known for hits like Are You Ready For Love and I Want Love. He was last year the subject of the hit biopic Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton.