The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has detected eight travellers (four Singapore Citizens/SCs, two Permanent Residents/PRs, and two Long-Term Pass holders) who have made false declarations in their applications to opt out of serving their Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities. Police investigations against them are ongoing. 

Criteria for Travellers to Opt Out of Dedicated SHN Facilities 

2. Since 11 August 2020, all travellers serving SHN outside of dedicated SHN 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 SHN 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. 

Detecting the False Declarations 

3. The eight travellers had arrived from South Korea and Thailand between 5 and 12 November 2020. Prior to their arrival, they had applied to opt out of serving their SHN at dedicated SHN facilities, and to instead serve their SHN at their place of residence. In their applications, they had declared that they would be occupying their place of residence alone, or only with household members with the same travel history and serving SHN of the same duration. 

4. Between 6 and 13 November 2020, enforcement officers conducted checks at their declared place of residence and found them residing with household members who were not serving SHN. These eight travellers were conveyed to dedicated SHN facilities, and their cases have been handed over to the Police for investigations, and potentially prosecution in court. If found guilty, we will review the immigration status of the four non-Singaporeans, with a view to revocation of their PR status, or cancelling or shortening the validity of their Re-Entry Permit and/or Long-Term Passes. 

5. As a precautionary measure to safeguard public health, the household members, who were not on SHN, have been issued with a SHN. 

Firm Enforcement Action Against False Declarations and Breach of SHN Requirements 

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

7. 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. 

8. Persons who make false declarations in seeking to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities are liable to be prosecuted for offences under the Penal Code, and/or the Infectious Diseases Act, which may carry imprisonment terms and/or a fine. 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. For foreigners, ICA/MOM may take further administrative action, such as revoking, or shortening the validity of their permits or passes to remain/work 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 
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 NOVEMBER 2020