Man serving Stay-Home Notice allegedly brought friend into apartment room
SINGAPORE — A 37-year-old man serving a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at a serviced apartment in Orchard allegedly left his room thrice to meet friends, a court heard.
On two of those occasions last month, Chng Tianxi purportedly even brought a friend into his room at the Pan Pacific Service Suites Orchard located along Somerset Road in the early hours of the morning.
At the State Courts on Wednesday (6 May), Chng was charged with a total of six counts in relation to the three incidents which took place early last month.
He faces three charges of exposing others to risk of infection while having reason to suspect that he had exposure COVID-19, and three counts of coming into close proximity with another person while being subject to a movement control measure.
Chng told District Judge Clement Tan that he intends to plead guilty. The case will be mentioned again on 20 May.
Given Stay-Home Notice after returning from Thailand
Chng, a Singaporean, returned from Thailand on 26 March and was given an SHN, which was to be served out at the Pan Pacific Service Suites Orchard until 9 April.
On 1 April, Chng allegedly left his room at about 1.25am and took a lift to bring his friend Chen Yijun from the basement carpark to his room. Chen left at about 5am.
A few days later, on 4 April, Chng purportedly left his room again at about 12.35am and took the lift to bring the same friend to his room. Chen left at about 2am.
In a news statement on Wednesday, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said one of its officers visited Chng on 5 April to advise him that it was mandatory to remain in his room. “Despite this, Chng left his room again on 6 April 2020 at about 12.40am to meet three friends in the basement carpark and took the lift to the 16th floor with them. He returned to his room at about 12.50am,” the authority said.
Chng’s charge sheet in relation to the incident named two friends: Tong Wei Liang and Daniel Chow Guoxin.
The maximum punishment that Chng faces for each of his charges, if he is found guilty, is a fine of up to $10,000 along with a jail term of up to six months.
ICA said it will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against those who do not comply with their SHN.
“ICA also reminds all travellers arriving in Singapore to ensure that they 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.”
The maximum penalty for providing false or misleading information for a first-time offender is a fine of up to S$10,000 and up to six months’ jail. For repeat offenders, the maximum punishment is a fine of up to S$20,000 and up to 12 months’ jail.
“For foreigners, ICA may also take further administrative actions, such as revoking, or shortening the validity of permits and passes to remain in Singapore,” the authority said.
Members of the public can report information about anyone who fails to comply with their SHN to ICA at go.gov.sg/reportshnbreach or 6812 5555.
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