A 45-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident, who breached Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements while in Singapore from 20 to 23 February 2020 has lost his Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) status. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has also barred him from re-entering Singapore.

Background of Stay-Home Notice (SHN)

2          The SHN was implemented from 18 February 2020 as a precautionary measure to minimise the risk of additional imported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). The SHN is served on Singapore residents (Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents), long-term pass holders (i.e. Student’s Pass, Dependant’s Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass) and foreign employees issued with a work pass¹, with recent travel history to mainland China (outside of Hubei²) in the last 14 days³. Individuals served with the SHN are required to remain in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period.

Loss of PR Status and Denial of Immigration Facilities

3          On 20 February 2020, the subject was served with the SHN when he arrived at Changi Airport as he had travel history to mainland China in the past 14 days. He was briefed on the requirements of the SHN. However, he failed to respond to phone calls, and was not at his declared place of residence when ICA officers conducted enforcement checks, in the days after his return to Singapore.

4          On 23 February 2020, ICA officers at Changi Airport detected the subject attempting to leave Singapore. He was warned that he had breached the requirements of his SHN and could face penalties, but he insisted on departing Singapore.

5          In view of the wilful breach of his SHN, ICA has rejected his application for renewal of his Re-entry Permit, which allows a person to retain his or her PR status while outside of Singapore. This means that the subject has lost his PR status. ICA has also barred him from re-entering Singapore.

Important to Comply with SHN

6          The Government will continue to conduct regular random checks through house visits and phone calls to ensure compliance with the SHN, so that the well-being of the community is not put at risk.

7          Those who fail to comply with the SHN may face the following penalties:

1. They may be prosecuted under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act⁴;
2. Foreign workers may have their work passes revoked and be repatriated. Employers may have their work pass privileges withdrawn;
3. Students may face disciplinary actions, including suspension or dismissal, from their schools or institutions;
4. PR and long-term pass holders may have their Re-Entry Permit or passes revoked or the validity shortened.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
26 FEBRUARY 2020