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Two Chinese nationals have been charged under the Infectious Diseases Act for giving false information to the Ministry of Health (MOH) during their conduct of contact tracing.

Infected with Covid-19 on Jan. 31, wife identified as close contact

According to a news release by MOH on Feb. 26, the couple is Hu Jun, 38 and his wife, Shi Sha, 36. Shi resides in Singapore.

Hu, who is a Wuhan resident, arrived in Singapore on Jan. 22.

He was confirmed to be infected with Covid-19 on Jan. 31 and became Singapore's 16th case.

He has since fully recovered from the infection and was discharged from hospital on Feb. 19.

Once a Covid-19 case is confirmed, MOH initiates contact tracing to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the case while he/she was symptomatic.

Close contacts are monitored closely and may be quarantined, so that they can be identified and treated early if they develop the disease.

This measure also prevents close contacts from mingling in the community if they become symptomatic, and helps to contain further transmission of Covid-19.

Shi was identified as a close contact of Hu and was issued a Quarantine Order on Feb. 1.

Lied during contact tracing investigation

Both Hu and Shi, however, had given false information to MOH officials about their movements and whereabouts from Jan. 22 to Jan. 29 when they were contacted for contact tracing.

Shi had also provided false information while under quarantine.

MOH was able to establish their true movements through detailed investigations. Hu and Shi were served charges on Feb. 25.

The couple will go to court this Friday (Feb. 28).

MOH will take action against offences under Infectious Diseases Act

MOH reminds the public that it is an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act for anyone to withhold or provide false information to MOH officials during contact tracing.

MOH added that it views such actions seriously and will not hesitate to take appropriate action against the perpetrators.

Any person guilty of an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act can be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed for a maximum of six months, or both.

Top image from Kenny Chua/Google Maps.