Five Singaporeans will be charged on 30 June 2020 for offences under the Infectious Diseases Act or Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020 after breaching their Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements.

Wilful Breach of the SHN Requirements

2.        The Government had announced that with effect from 16 March 2020, 2359 hours, all residents, Long-Term Pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore with travel history to any ASEAN country^[1] within the previous 14 days would be issued a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and must remain in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period. From 20 March 2020, 2359hrs, these requirements were extended to all residents, Long-Term Pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore^[2]. All five Singaporeans were briefed on the SHN requirements when they returned to Singapore.

Case of Rozman Bin Abdul Rahman

3.        Rozman, 39, arrived in Singapore from Indonesia on 20 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period from 20 March to 3 April 2020. Rozman allegedly continued to work as a security officer throughout his SHN period except on 31 March 2020. He will be charged under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act.

Case of Lee Kim Chin

4.        Lee, 55, arrived in Singapore from Malaysia on 25 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period from 25 March to 8 April 2020. On 3 April 2020, even though she was coughing, she allegedly left her residence in Boon Lay and went to a supermarket located at Boon Lay Central. She will be charged under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

Case of Mohammad Alif Bin Mohammad Noor and Ernie Batrisyia Binte Hamdi

5.        Mohammad Alif, 26, and Ernie, 21, arrived in Singapore from Malaysia on 1 April 2020 and were each served with an SHN for the period from 1 April to 15 April 2020. Instead of returning to their declared place of residence in Jalan Bukit Merah immediately, they allegedly went to the residence of Ernie’s mother for dinner before returning home.

6.        On 6 April 2020, Ernie allegedly left her residence to visit a Post Office at Bukit Merah Central. On the same day, she allegedly left her residence again with Alif to Anchorpoint Shopping Centre. Both will be charged under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. 

Case of Adenan Bin Amat

7.        Adenan, 60, arrived in Singapore from Indonesia on 3 April 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period from 3 to 17 April 2020. Instead of proceeding to his declared place of residence in West Coast Road, he allegedly visited his friend’s residence at Telok Blangah to retrieve some belongings. During the 14-day SHN period, Adenan did not stay at his declared place of residence.  Sometime on or before 10 April, he allegedly went for a job interview without informing his prospective employer that he was under an SHN. He will be charged under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act and the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

ICA’s Investigation into Their Wilful Breaches

8.        ICA has investigated the five individuals’ breaches of SHN requirements. They will be charged in court on 30 June 2020 for their respective offences under the Infectious Diseases Act and the Regulations thereunder. A person convicted of an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act or its Regulations is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or up to six months’ imprisonment, or both.

Importance of Complying with SHN Requirements

9.        ICA will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against those who fail to comply with SHN requirements. ICA also reminds all travellers arriving in Singapore to ensure that they submit complete and accurate health and travel declarations via the SG Arrival Card. Anyone who makes a false or misleading declaration will be liable to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act. The penalty for providing false or misleading information is a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. For subsequent offence(s), the penalty is a fine of up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 12 months. For foreigners, ICA may also take further administrative actions, such as revoking, or shortening the validity of permits and passes to remain in Singapore.

10.       Members of the public can report information about anyone who fails to comply with SHN requirements to ICA at go.gov.sg/reportshnbreach or 6812 5555. All residents, LTP holders and short-term visitors who require assistance such as updating their contact number or address where they are to serve their SHN, may call the SHN helpline at 6812 5555, and will not need to make a physical visit to the ICA Building.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
30 JUNE 2020