Two Singapore Citizens – 32-year-old Lee Yi Sheng Daryl Paul (“Lee”) and 65-year-old Geramir Singh s/o Dhoa Singh (“Geramir”) – have been charged in court on 19 November 2021 for offences under the Infectious Diseases Act and Regulations.

2           Lee has been charged under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act for allegedly breaching his Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements on four occasions. He also faces additional charges for allegedly damaging the electronic wristband issued to him, under Regulation 3 of the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020, and for failing to wear a mask, under Regulation 3A of the Infectious Diseases (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

3           Geramir has been charged under Section 64(b) of the Infectious Diseases Act for allegedly making a false declaration in his application to opt out of serving his SHN at dedicated facilities.

Case of Lee Yi Sheng Daryl Paul (“Lee”)

4           On 29 June 2021, Lee arrived in Singapore and was required to serve a 7-day SHN at his place of residence. He was also issued with an electronic gateway and wristband to monitor his compliance with the SHN.

5           On 30 June 2021, Lee allegedly left his place of residence without wearing a mask to buy dinner at a coffeeshop in Tampines.

6           On 1 July 2021, Lee allegedly left his place of residence without wearing a mask to wait for a friend at his condominium’s basement carpark but returned home shortly after. Later, Lee allegedly left his place of residence again to meet his friend, without wearing a mask, and they proceeded to have lunch at a coffeeshop in Tampines.

7           Later in the same day, he allegedly left his place of residence again to attend a Muay Thai lesson at Tampines SAFRA. When he returned to his residence, an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer was waiting for him as part of ICA’s enforcement checks. When questioned, Lee allegedly informed the ICA officer that he had gone to his condominium’s gymnasium.   

8           On 2 July 2021, Lee obtained approval to serve his remaining SHN at a hotel instead of his place of residence. Before he left for the hotel, he allegedly damaged the strap of the electronic wristband while at his place of residence. When this was uncovered by an ICA officer during an enforcement check, he allegedly informed that he had accidentally broken the wristband while on his way to the hotel in a taxi.  

Case of Geramir Singh s/o Dhoa Singh (“Geramir”)

9           Travellers from selected countries/regions^[1] who by default have to serve SHN at dedicated facilities, can opt-out to serve their SHN at a suitable place of residence if they fulfil the following criteria:

(a)  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

(b)  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.

10         On his arrival at Changi Airport on 27 August 2021, Geramir allegedly declared that he would be occupying his place of residence alone or only with household members with the same travel history as him and serving their SHN during the same period. He acknowledged and signed the physical declaration form.

11         However, on 28 August 2021, ICA’s enforcement officers conducted checks at Geramir’s place of residence and found other people who did not share the same travel history.

Firm Enforcement Action Against Breach of SHN Requirements and False Declarations

12         Strict compliance with SHN requirements is key to safeguarding the health and safety of our community. Those who fail to comply with SHN requirements will be liable to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act and/or the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. The offence carries a penalty of a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.

13         The authorities would like to remind members of the public to submit truthful and accurate information for all health, travel and SHN-related declarations. Firm enforcement action will be taken against those found to have made false declarations. Persons who make false declarations in seeking to opt out of SHN dedicated facilities are liable to be prosecuted for offences under the Infectious Diseases Act. Foreigners may face further administrative actions by ICA and/or the Ministry of Manpower, such as revoking, or shortening the validity of permits and passes to remain/work in Singapore.

14         Members of the 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
19 NOVEMBER 2021