A 53-year-old Singaporean woman was arrested by Police on 25 May 2021 and will be charged in court on the same day for exposing others to the risk of infection under the Infectious Diseases Act and failing to wear a mask outside her ordinary place of residence under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

2              On 28 June 2020, the woman arrived in Singapore from the United Kingdom and was served with a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN) from 28 June to 12 July 2020. As she was required to serve her SHN at a dedicated facility, she was brought to a hotel in the downtown area after immigration clearance. Investigations showed that the woman allegedly left her hotel room during the SHN period on several occasions and did not wear a mask while outside her hotel room.

3              The woman also allegedly failed to wear a mask in public on at least four other occasions:

1. On 2 December 2020, at a shopping mall along Eu Tong Sen Street.
2. On 15 May 2021, at a shopping mall along Bayfront Avenue despite repeated advice from Safe Distancing Ambassadors (SDAs) to do so.
3. On 18 May 2021, at a shopping complex along Bain Street.
4. On 24 May 2021, outside the State Courts along 1 Havelock Square.

4             Investigations into the woman’s alleged involvement in the several cases of failing to wear a mask in public places are ongoing. Police interviewed her in relation to these investigations on 15 May 2021, but despite this, she allegedly re-offended, including the incident on 24 May 2021 where she allegedly removed her mask after leaving the State Courts. Such conduct poses a real risk to public health given the current COVID-19 situation. In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Police arrested the woman on 25 May 2021 and will be charging her with a view to seeking an order from the Court to remand the woman for psychiatric assessment.

5              Strict compliance with SHN requirements is key to safeguarding the health and safety of our population. Those who fail to comply with SHN requirements, including persons who tamper with and/or remove the electronic monitoring device during the SHN period, will be liable for an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act and/or the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. The offence carries a penalty of a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.

6              Individuals who are found not wearing a mask or not wearing a mask properly outside their ordinary place of residence will be liable for a breach of Regulation 3A of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 which is an offence under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020. The offence carries a penalty of a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.

7              Members of the public are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. SDAs and Enforcement Officers have been working hard to keep our community safe. We urge members of the public to continue to cooperate with them and comply with their instructions. Let us all do our part to curb the spread of COVID-19.

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
25 MAY 2021