A 50-year-old male Singapore Citizen, Ong Chong Kiat, will be charged in court on 30 April 2020 after breaching his Stay-Home Notice (SHN), an offence under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

Wilful Breach of the SHN Requirements

2.      The Government had announced that from 20 March 2020, 2359 hours, all residents, Long-Term Pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore would be issued an SHN and must remain in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period. Further measures were put in place, from 9 April 2020, 2359hrs, requiring all residents, Long-Term Pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities.

3.      Ong arrived in Singapore from Indonesia on 24 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period of 24 March to 7 April 2020. However, he left his place of residence in Hougang on two occasions. On 27 March 2020, Ong took a private hire vehicle to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building, with the intention to make an appeal to be allowed to depart Singapore before completing his 14-day SHN. ICA officers advised him to return home immediately. He had left his place of residence for approximately three hours. On 30 March 2020, he again left his residence and took a private hire vehicle to Tan Tock Seng Hospital to obtain medical test reports, before proceeding to ICA Building to try to appeal again to be allowed to depart Singapore before completing his 14-day SHN. He had spent approximately two hours outside.  

4.      ICA has investigated Ong’s wilful breach of SHN requirements. In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, he will be charged in court on 30 April 2020 under the Infectious Diseases Act (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. A person convicted of an offence under Infectious Diseases Act (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020 is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or up to six months’ imprisonment, or both.

Importance of Complying with SHN Requirements

5.      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.

6.      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.