COVID-19: Man who breached SHN again despite reminder jailed 5 weeks
SINGAPORE — A man was warned by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority Officers (ICA) after he left his home to buy food from a coffeeshop while on a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) but he did so again days later.
Chong Chun Wah, 47, was jailed five weeks’ on Wednesday (6 May) for one breach of the Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 – Stay Orders) Regulations by violating his SHN two days before it ended. The Singaporean pleaded guilty to the offence.
On 17 March, at about 7pm, Chong returned to Singapore from Batam, Indonesia via the Singapore Cruise Centre, HarbourFront.
He was served an SHN valid from 17 to 31 March by an ICA officer. Chong understood the contents of the SHN and knew that he had to remain in his place of residence at all times for 14 days. He acknowledged and signed the SHN before clearing immigration.
From 16 March 2020, 11.59pm, all travellers entering Singapore with recent travel history to ASEAN counties, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom within the last 14 days were issued a two-week SHN upon arrival. The SHN required individuals to remain at home at all times for two weeks.
While Chong knew the requirements, he still left his residence.
On 24 March, during a check by ICA officers, Chong was noted to have left his flat. He claimed that he had left to buy food from a coffee-shop in the vicinity of Blk 252 Jurong East, some three to four bus stops away. The officers then reminded Chong the importance of adhering to the SHN, which he again acknowledged.
However, five days later, at about 1pm, Chong again left his residence and walked to a coffeeshop at Block 447 Bukit Batok, which was some 140 metres away, to buy food. Chong claimed that the coffeeshop was not crowded.
He returned home about 30 to 45 minutes later.
Deputy Public Prosecutor V Jesudevan sought at least seven weeks’ jail stating that while Chong’s breach was “minor”, his culpability was high.
“(Chong) is a recalcitrant offender. After being caught red-handed on 24 April for breaching the SHN, and being reminded by...(ICA) officers of the importance of adhering to the SHN, (Chong) did not take compliance with the SHN seriously.”
“Barely five days later, he went ahead to breach the SHN for exactly the same purported reason – to buy food. His purpose of heading out of his home, to buy food is unreasonable, especially since he could have made alternative arrangements for it, or availed himself to having food delivered to him,” said the DPP.
Chong, who was unrepresented, pleaded for leniency as he had to pay for house and rental bills.
For breaching his SHN, Chong could have been jailed up to six months and/or fined up to $10,000.
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