An elderly man was arrested for disorderly behaviour after he shouted at police officers and refused to heed their advice at Block 28 Bendemeer Road on Tuesday, April 7, the first day the Covid-19 circuit breaker measures kicked in.

The police said he had wanted to eat at a table at the void deck of a HDB block of flats in Boon Keng and refused to leave.

The 71-year-old man was seen holding a bag of food before being handcuffed.

The police said officers came across a group of elderly people "gathering around two tables at the void deck" at around 11.40am.

The police were on foot patrol at the block.

A spokesman said: "The police officers advised them to go home and not remain at the location. The group complied and left."

"Shortly after, a 71-year-old man arrived with his packet lunch and wanted to eat at one of the tables. The officers advised him to return home to have his lunch and not loiter in public unnecessarily."

"The man refused to heed the police officers' advice and shouted at them. He remained uncooperative despite officers’ repeated advice for him to calm down and leave the place."

The man was subsequently arrested for disorderly behaviour.

Police investigations are ongoing.

The police also said in their statement: "Members of the public are advised to take the circuit breaker measures seriously."

"Everyone should stay home and only go out for essential activities. Everyone must play their part for the circuit breaker to be effective."

Dining in at food and beverage outlets are no longer allowed as part of new Covid-19 circuit breaker measures in place from April 7 to May 4.

However, takeaways and food delivery services are allowed.

All social gatherings of any size in both private and public spaces have also been banned under a new Bill passed in Parliament on Tuesday.

A man in Red Hill Market hawker centre was also seen confronted by the police on Tuesday.