A 37-year-old male Singapore Citizen, Chng Tianxi, will be charged on 6 May 2020 for offences under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act and the Infectious Diseases (Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19) 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 a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and must remain in their place of accommodation 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.      Chng arrived in Singapore from Thailand on 26 March 2020 and was served an SHN for the period of 26 March to 9 April 2020. However, he left his hotel room at his specified place of accommodation (Pan Pacific Service Suites Orchard) to meet with other people on three occasions. On two of these occasions, he also brought a person into his room.

4.      On 1 April 2020 at about 1.25am, Chng left his hotel room and took a lift to bring a friend from the basement carpark to his room. The friend left at about 5am. On 4 April 2020 at about 12.35am, Chng left his hotel room again and took the lift to bring the same friend to his room. The friend left at about 2am.

5.      On 5 April 2020, an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer visited Chng to advise him that it is mandatory to remain in his room. Despite this, Chng left his room again on 6 April 2020 at about 12.40am to meet three friends in the basement carpark and took the lift with them to the 16^th floor with them. He returned to his room at about 12.50am.

6.      ICA investigated Chng’s wilful breach of SHN requirements. In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, he will be charged in court on 6 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
6 MAY 2020