Two Singapore Citizens – 22-year-old Nurul Afiqah Binte Mohammed and 40-year-old Mohd Noor Salam Bin Mohd Yusof – will be charged in court on 11 December 2020 for breaching their Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements.

2.        Nurul will be charged under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act, while Noor will be charged under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

SHN requirements for travellers entering Singapore

3.         The Government had announced that from 20 March 2020, 2359hrs, 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 such incoming travellers to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities. From 11 August 2020, travellers who are allowed to serve their SHN outside of the dedicated facilities are required to don an electronic monitoring device throughout their SHN period¹  as an additional measure to enhance compliance with the SHN regime and thereby reduce the risk of transmission from imported cases.

^[1] Those under 12 are exempted from this requirement.

Wilful Breach of SHN requirements

Case of Nurul Afiqah Binte Mohammed

4.         Nurul arrived in Singapore from Australia on 21 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period of 21 March to 4 April 2020. On 23 March 2020, she allegedly left her declared place of residence in Woodlands Drive and went to Causeway Point to buy bubble tea. She then went to Nanyang Polytechnic.

5          On 2 and 3 April 2020, Nurul allegedly left her place of residence and went to Punggol Field to assist her friend with wedding preparations. On both occasions, other members of her friend’s household were also present. On 12 April 2020, Nurul visited Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) as she was feeling unwell. She subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted into KTPH.

Case of Mohd Noor Salam Bin Mohd Yusof

6          Noor arrived in Singapore from Malaysia on 26 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period of 26 March to 10 April 2020. On 31 March 2020, he allegedly left his declared place of residence in Woodlands Street and took public transport to his mother’s residence in Choa Chu Kang. Along the way, he visited Choa Chu Kang Neighbourhood Police Centre.

7          On 2 April 2020, Noor allegedly left his mother’s residence and proceeded to the following locations:

• Choa Chu Kang HDB Branch
• Limbang Kopitiam
• Vicinity of Limbang Shopping Centre

Importance of Complying with SHN Requirements

8          To safeguard our community’s health and safety, everyone needs to play their part and comply with the SHN requirements. The case of Nurul, who had tested positive for the virus, and had come into contact with her friends and members of the public during her SHN, shows the very real risk breaching SHN requirements can pose to all of us. It is highly irresponsible conduct. Those who fail to comply, 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 may be a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months. Foreigners may face further administrative actions by ICA and/or MOM, such as revoking, or shortening the validity of permits and passes to remain/work in Singapore.

9          Members of public can report information about anyone who fails to comply with SHN requirements to ICA at go.gov.sg/reportshnbreach or call 6812 5555.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
11 DECEMBER 2020