More than 400 composition fines will be issued to members of public who did not comply with elevated Circuit Breaker (CB) safe distancing measures over the past two days (April 13 and 14).
Fines for two patrons who dined in a canteen and stall owner who sold face masks illegally
Photo via floted on Google Maps
These include two patrons who sat down and dined in at a canteen at 63 Jalan Pemimpin, according to the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) on Wednesday (April 15).
MEWR said enforcement action will be taken against both the patrons and licensee of the canteen.
In a separate incident, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) found a stall owner at a coffee shop at Jurong East Street 24 selling face masks illegally on April 13.
SFA instructed the stall owner to cease operations immediately and will issue him a S$1,000 fine under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020.
Those who breach safe distancing measures will face a fine or prosecution in court
Since the start of the circuit breaker period on April 7, some 3,000 Enforcement Officers (EOs), and SG Clean and Safe Distancing Ambassadors have been deployed daily to public spaces in HDB estates across Singapore to ensure elevated safe distancing measures are observed.
Any member of the public found in breach of the elevated safe distancing measures, including failure or refusal to comply with directions from an EO, will be asked for his or her particulars.
First-time offenders face a composition fine of S$300 while second-time offenders will face a S$1,000 composition fine, or prosecution in court for egregious cases.
From April 16, enforcement will also be taken against those not wearing masks outside their homes.
Additionally, anyone who verbally or physically abuses EOs and Ambassadors will be reported to the police for follow-up, and these cases will be considered separately from the principal offence that the offender will be charged for.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli pointed out instances of this abuse taking place in a Facebook post earlier Wednesday:
Beware of people who are impersonating Enforcement Officers
Here's some useful information about Covid-19 Circuit Breaker enforcement officers to help you discern whether one who is speaking to you is a legitimate officer:
1. An enforcement officer can wear cards that look like these, on a lanyard:
Image via MEWR
2. An enforcement officer can also wear an armband that looks like this:
Image via MEWR
And here's a list of things to keep in mind if an Enforcement Officer should slap you with a fine for breaching safe distancing measures:
- Notices for fines will be issued to you in hard copy either on site, or through snail mail.
- Enforcement officers are not allowed, and would never ask you, to pay any fine that is issued to you on the spot.
- Do not hand over any cash or provide your bank account details to anyone who claims to be an Enforcement Officer.
- Always request to see identification from an enforcement officer before complying with his/her instructions.
For more information on the latest safe distancing measures, you can click here.
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Top image via floted on Google Maps and Victor He on Unsplash