Two individual work permit holders in Singapore were charged in court on Friday after breaching their Quarantine Order (QO).
35-year-old male Indian national, Vardireddy Nageswara Reddy was charged for an offence under Section 15(4)(b) of the Infectious Diseases Act.
Vardireddy, a Work Permit holder, was issued a QO on February 17, 2020, which required him to be isolated at home from February 16-20. His quarantine period was subsequently extended to February 25, 12.00 pm.
When the QO was served to Vardireddy, he had acknowledged that he understood the contents of the QO, in particular that he could not leave his place of residence for the entire duration of the quarantine period, said a Ministry of Health statement.
However, in breach of the QO, Vardireddy left his home on February 24 to go to a neighbourhood shopping mall without the permission of the Director of Medical Services.
The second individual to be charged is 49-year-old male Chinese national, Liu Dufeng, who has been charged for two offences under Section 15(4)(b) of the Infectious Diseases Act.
Liu, was issued a QO on February 15, for him to be isolated at his place of residence at 45 Genting Road from February 12-24.
On February 19, Liu relocated to 14 Genting Road to continue his quarantine under the instructions of his employer, having failed to inform the employer that he was not supposed to be relocated during the quarantine period. He also failed to seek permission from the Director of Medical Services prior to the relocation.
Additionally, Liu was also found to have left his residence on February 21 in search of a bank at MacPherson Road, said the MOH statement.
Under Section 15(4)(b) of the Infectious Diseases Act, those convicted are liable to a fine of up to SGD 10,000, or up to six months’ imprisonment, or both.