Two Singapore Citizens and one foreigner will be charged in court on 21 April 2020 after breaching their Stay-Home Notices (SHN). The details of their charges are as follows:

• A 48-year-old male Singapore Citizen, Chong Chun Wah, will be charged for offences under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act and the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.
• A 25-year-old female Singapore Citizen, Siti Wan Su'Aidah Binte Samsuri, will be charged for offences under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020 and the Infectious Diseases (Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19) Regulations 2020.
• A 44-year-old male US citizen, Brian Dugan Yeargan, will be charged for an offence under 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 last 14 days would be issued an 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.

Case of Chong Chun Wah

3.        Chong arrived in Singapore from Indonesia on 17 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period of 17 March to 31 March 2020. He left his place of residence at Bukit Batok on three occasions. On 24 March 2020, Chong took a bus to Jurong East to purchase food and spent approximately one to 1.5 hours outside; on 28 March 2020, he left his residence for about five minutes to check his mail at the ground floor of his block; and on 29 March 2020, he walked to a coffeeshop in Bukit Batok to purchase food and spent approximately 30 to 45 minutes outside.

Case of Siti Wan Su’Aidah Binte Samsuri

4.        Siti Wan Su’Aidah arrived in Singapore from Australia on 25 March 2020 and was served with an SHN for the period of 25 March to 8 April 2020. On 30 March 2020, she left her place of residence at Woodlands and walked to Vista Point to purchase groceries and cigarettes. During this period, she failed to respond to multiple calls made to her mobile phone by ICA as part of enforcement checks. She spent approximately 15 to 20 minutes outside.  

Case of Brian Dugan Yeargan

5.        Yeargan, a commercial pilot, arrived in Singapore from Australia on 3 April 2020 and was issued a short-term visit pass valid for 30 days. He was served with an SHN for the period of 3 to 17 April 2020. On 5 April 2020, he left his place of accommodation at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, took a train from Changi Airport MRT station to City Hall MRT station, and walked to Chinatown Point to purchase personal items. He spent approximately three hours outside.

ICA’s Investigation into their Wilful Breaches

6.        ICA has investigated each of the three individuals’ wilful breaches of SHN requirements. In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, they will be charged in court on 21 April 2020 for their respective offences under the Infectious Diseases Act and its Regulations. 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. Besides prosecuting offenders under the Infectious Diseases Act and its Regulations, ICA may also cancel their immigration facilities and bar them from re-entering Singapore, where applicable.

8.        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.

9.        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
20 APRIL 2020