COVID-19: Three charged for leaving residences despite being given MCs, SHN
SINGAPORE — Two men and one woman have been charged in court for allegedly committing COVID-19 related offences.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a media release on Friday (7 August) that the two men were charged for allegedly breaching their stay orders after being issued with five-day medical certificates (MC) for acute respiratory infection.
The woman, on the other hand, was charged in court for allegedly breaching Stay-Home Notice (SHN) requirements which were issued upon arrival in Singapore.
Left home to stay at friend’s residence
Singaporean Prabu Rajendran, 28, was given a five-day MC for acute respiratory infection on 2 April, and was required by law to stay home from 2 to 6 April.
Investigations revealed that he allegedly left his home on the evening of 2 April, and had stayed at a friend’s residence for one night.
He was charged in court on 5 June for one count under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. His case is scheduled for further mention in court on 14 August.
Left accommodation to run personal errands
Chong Tet Choe, a 35-year-old Singapore permanent resident, was also given a five-day MC for acute respiratory infection on 29 April and was required by law to stay home from 29 April to 3 May.
Investigations revealed that he had allegedly left his place of accommodation on four separate occasions between 30 April and 3 May to run personal errands.
He was charged in court on 17 June for four counts under the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.
“Since 14 February, healthcare professionals have been providing five-day MCs for patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection,” MOH said in the media release.
“Yet more than 35 per cent of these cases had continued to engage in activities after symptoms onset and before they were isolated. Of these, nearly half went to work, and many visited shopping centres, supermarkets and hawker centres.”
Visited food centre, clinic despite under SHN
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Singaporean Esther Tan Ying Ling was served a SHN upon arrival in Singapore from the UK on 23 March. She was required by law to remain in her place of residence for a 14-day period.
Investigations revealed that after the SHN was issued, Tan had visited a food centre, as well as a medical clinic where she had provided a false declaration of her travel history.
Tan was charged in court on Wednesday for one count under the Infectious Diseases Act. Her case is scheduled for further mention in court on 24 August.
If found guilty, each of the three individuals could face up to six months’ jail, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
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