A 64-year-old male Singapore Citizen, Teo Say Leong, will be charged on 11 May 2020 for offences under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act and the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

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. 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.      Teo arrived in Singapore from Indonesia on 20 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period of 20 March to 3 April 2020. However, he left his place of residence in Jalan Sultan on five occasions.

4.      Between 23 and 26 March 2020, Teo left his residence daily (four times in total) for non-permitted purposes. He spent approximately one hour outside, around his neighbourhood, on each occasion.

5.      On 29 March 2020, as part of enforcement checks by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), a team of officers visited Teo’s place of residence and found that he was not there. Teo had left his residence to buy lunch and proceeded to an open area nearby to consume it. He was outside his residence for approximately 50 minutes. When he returned, he was reminded by the ICA officers that he had to remain at his residence at all times during the 14-day SHN period.

6.      ICA has investigated Teo’s wilful breach of SHN requirements. In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, he will be charged in court on 11 May 2020. A person convicted of an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act and 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

7.      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.

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
11 MAY 2020