PR charged with making false declaration in SHN application, exposing others to risk of Covid-19 infection

SINGAPORE — A Singapore permanent resident was charged on Thursday (April 1) with making a false declaration in his application to opt out of serving his stay-home notice (SHN) at a dedicated facility, and exposing others to the potential risk of Covid-19 infection at his place of residence.

Ko Kyung Ho, 45, arrived in Singapore on Nov 25 last year and was issued an SHN from Nov 25 to Dec 9, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement on Thursday.

In a form submitted to an ICA officer, he allegedly declared that he would be staying at his place of residence either on his own, or with household members with the same travel history as him also serving SHNs of the same duration.

When enforcement officers conducted checks at Ko’s home on Nov 26, they found three household members who did not share the same travel history as him.

Also present were nine house movers — neither family nor household members — who were moving items into the place.

The authority reminded that anyone who makes false declarations in seeking to opt out of dedicated SHN facilities is liable to be prosecuted for offences under the Infectious Diseases Act.

“All travellers who opt to serve their SHN at their place of residence must remain there at all times. Their movements will be monitored through electronic monitoring and random physical checks,” it said.

Individuals who do not comply with SHN requirements, including those who tamper with or remove the monitoring device, will be liable to prosecution under the Infectious Diseases (Covid-19 — Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

Those convicted may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

Foreigners may also have the validity of their permits and passes to remain or work here shortened or revoked.