2 S'pore citizens & 1 foreigner to be charged on Apr. 21 for breaching Stay-Home Notices

Firm action will be taken against those who fail to comply with SHN requirements.

Melanie Lim | April 20, 2020, 10:57 AM

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has investigated two Singapore citizens and one foreigner for breaching their Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements.

They will be charged in court on April 21 for their respective offences under the Infectious Diseases Act and its Regulations.

Case one: Chong Chun Wah

A 48-year-old male Singapore Citizen, Chong Chun Wah, arrived in Singapore from Indonesia on March 17 and was served with a SHN for the period of March 17 to 31.

However, he left his place of residence at Bukit Batok on three occasions.

On March 24, Chong took a bus to Jurong East to purchase food and spent approximately one to one and a half hours outside.

On March 28, he left his residence for about five minutes to check his mail at the ground floor of his block.

Finally, on March 29, he walked to a coffeeshop in Bukit Batok to purchase food and spent approximately 30 to 45 minutes outside.

He will be charged in court for offences under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act and the Infectious Diseases (Covid-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

Case two: Siti Wan Su'Aidah Binte Samsuri

A 25-year-old female Singapore Citizen, Siti Wan Su'Aidah Binte Samsuri, arrived in Singapore from Australia on March 25 and was served with an SHN for the period of March 25 to April 8.

On March 30, she left her place of residence at Woodlands and walked to Vista Point to purchase groceries and cigarettes.

During this period, she failed to respond to multiple calls made to her mobile phone by ICA as part of enforcement checks.

She spent approximately 15 to 20 minutes outside.

Siti Wan Su'Aidah will be charged in court for offences under the Infectious Diseases (Covid-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020 and the Infectious Diseases (Measures to Prevent Spread of Covid-19) Regulations 2020.

Case three: Brian Dugan Yeargan

A 44-year-old male U.S. citizen, Brian Dugan Yeargan, arrived in Singapore from Australia on April 3 and was issued a short-term visit pass valid for 30 days.

The commercial pilot was then served with an SHN for the period of April 3 to 17.

On April 5, he left his place of accommodation at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, took a train from Changi Airport MRT station to City Hall MRT station, and walked to Chinatown Point to purchase personal items.

He spent approximately three hours outside.

Yeargan will be charged in court for an offence under the Infectious Diseases (Covid-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

Anyone entering Singapore has to serve 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities

The government previously announced that from March 16, 11:59pm, all Singapore residents, Long-Term Pass Holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore with travel history to any ASEAN country within the last 14 days would be issued a 14-day SHN.

Such individuals were expected to remain in their place of residence at all times.

From March 20, 11:59pm, these requirements were extended to all residents, Long-Term Pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore.

Further measures were put in place, from April 9, 11:59pm, requiring all residents, Long-Term Pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore to serve their 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities.

Firm action will be taken against those who fail to comply with ICA requirements

According to ICA, firm enforcement action will be taken against those who fail to comply with SHN requirements.

Besides prosecuting offenders under the Infectious Diseases Act and its Regulations, ICA may also cancel their immigration facilities and bar them from re-entering Singapore, where applicable.

Additionally, all travellers arriving in Singapore must submit complete and accurate health and travel declarations via the SG Arrival Card.

Anyone who makes a false or misleading declaration will be liable to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases Act, and the penalty is a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both.

For subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment up to 12 months, or both.

ICA may also take further administrative actions against errant foreigners, such as revoking or shortening the validity of their permits and passes to remain in Singapore.

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