A 58-year-old male Singapore Citizen will be charged in court on 19 March 2021 under Section 64 (b) of the Infectious Diseases Act for making false declarations in his application to opt out of serving his Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities.

Criteria for Travellers to Opt Out of Dedicated Facilities

2.         Since 11 August 2020, all travellers serving SHN outside of dedicated facilities are required to wear an electronic monitoring device throughout their SHN period. With this enhanced surveillance regime, the Government was able to adopt a more risk-based approach and allow travellers from selected countries/regions^[1] to opt out of serving their 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities, and to instead serve it at a suitable place of residence if they fulfil the following criteria:

1. The traveller has not travelled to any other country/region apart from the selected countries/regions in the 14 consecutive days prior to entering Singapore; and
2. The traveller is occupying his or her place of residence (i.e. residential address) alone, or only with household members who share the same travel history and are serving SHN of the same duration.

Case of Vijeyakumar S/O Z Joseph

3.         On his arrival at Changi Airport on 22 November 2020, Vijeyakumar allegedly declared in a physical declaration form, which was submitted to an ICA officer, that he had not travelled to any other country/region apart from the listed^[2] countries/regions in the 14 consecutive days prior to entering Singapore. However, he was returning from Jakarta, Indonesia, which was not part of the list. Vijeyakumar also allegedly declared in the form that he would be occupying his place of residence alone or with household members with the same travel history as him and serving their SHN during the same duration. He was subsequently served with an SHN from 22 November to 6 December 2020.

4.         On 25 November 2020, enforcement officers conducted checks at Vijeyakumar’s place of residence and found him allegedly residing with two other household members who did not share the same travel history as him.

Firm Enforcement Action Against False Declarations and Breach of SHN Requirements

5.         The authorities would like to remind members of the public to submit truthful and accurate information for all health, travel and SHN-related declarations. Firm enforcement action will be taken against those found to have made false declarations. 

6.         Strict compliance with SHN requirements is key to safeguarding the health and safety of our population. All travellers who opt to serve their SHN at their place of residence must remain there at all times. Their movements will be monitored through electronic monitoring and random physical checks.

7.         Persons who make false declarations in seeking to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities are liable to be prosecuted for offences under the Infectious Diseases Act. 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 to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. The penalty for such an offence is imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine of up to S$10,000.

8.         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.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
19 MARCH 2021