Man who used fitness corner during Phase 1 reopening fined $1,500
SINGAPORE — A man who was caught using a cordoned off fitness corner during Phase 1 of Singapore’s reopening and refused to provide his particulars to the authorities was fined $1,500 on Wednesday (9 December).
Ten Swee Kien, 42, pleaded guilty to one count each of using a sports facility at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, which was closed to the public under Phase 1 guidelines, and failing to provide proof of identity when required by a National Parks Board (NPB) officer.
Singapore entered a partial lockdown on 7 April but eased some measures during Phase 1 re-opening phase from 2 June. During this period, the government imposed social distancing rules targetted at restricting movement outside of one’s residence. Among them, sports facilities, such as fitness corners, were cordoned off to prevent the public from using them.
On 10 June, the NParks officer was with two safe distancing ambassadors on patrol at MacRitchie Reservoir Park when they were informed by a member of the public that an individual was using a fitness corner.
When the officers arrived at the fitness corner, they spotted Ten exercising at the sit-up station within the area cordoned off by red and white tape.
When Ten saw the officers approaching, he started to leave but was told not to do so. The NParks officer identified himself and informed Ten that he was in a closed section of the park, which was demarcated by the tape.
Ten replied that he was exercising and there was no one around him. The NParks officer requested thrice for Ten to furnish his particulars, but the latter refused.
On the fourth request, Ten claimed he did not have any form of identification with him. The officer then asked Ten to provide his identification number verbally, but Ten refused the request.
Ten argued and insisted that he was exercising alone and that he was not posing a risk to anyone. He then told the NParks officer to call the police and ran off without providing his particulars. The incident was captured on the officer’s body-worn camera.
Screenshots of Ten were sent to the police on the same day. He was later identified and traced.
Ten admitted to running away from the scene and claimed that he was uncomfortable with providing his personal details to someone he did not know.
The maximum penalty for failing to comply with a requirement made by a health officer is a fine of $500, which Ten was imposed with.
He was fined $1,000 for contravening a control order. The maximum penalty for this charge is a jail term of up to six months or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
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