Media Releases
13 people found to have breached safe distancing measures at a social gathering in a residential unit
1 February 2021
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Monday, 1 February 2021
Two individuals will be charged in court for non-compliance with safe distancing measures (SDM) under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
2 A 53-year-old male, the owner of the residential unit, breached Regulation 4(4) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, by permitting 12 individuals who were not members of his household to enter and remain at his place of residence[1] at Daisy Road on 2 October 2020 for the purposes of a birthday celebration.
3 Another male, aged 50, who was one of the visitors, breached Regulation 6(1) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, by gathering outside his ordinary place of residence with 12 other individuals not from the same household. He had allegedly invited 3 of the visitors to the place of residence, despite knowing that doing so would cause the gathering to exceed the permissible number of individuals.
4 These offences are punishable under Section 34(7)(a) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020. First time offenders face a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
5 For participating in the social gathering of more than 5 persons, the other 11 visitors who had attended the same gathering have each been issued with a composition fine of $300. In deciding to issue them a composition fine instead of prosecuting them, the level of their culpability in relation to the breach was taken into account.
6 An advisory has also been issued to the management corporation (MCST) of the premise to remind it to take steps to ensure that the relevant safe management measures are complied with within the premises.
7 The authorities urge homeowners and MCSTs to do their part in curbing the spread of COVID-19, especially during the upcoming festive period.
[1] Between 19 June 2020 and 27 December 2020 (Phase Two), an individual must not allow more than 5 visitors to enter his/her unit at any time unless for permitted proposes.