SINGAPORE — Six of the seven people who pleaded guilty in court on Thursday (June 25) to socialising in groups at Robertson Quay bars and restaurants last month have had their work passes revoked, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said.

The remaining person is a Singapore permanent resident and has two children here. 

In a media release, MOM said that the six were among the 140 work pass holders whose passes were revoked for breaching circuit breaker measures that restricted movement of people or violating stay-home notices or quarantine orders.

MOM said that of the 140 work passes revoked, 42 of the pass holders had breached orders to stay indoors and were caught outside their residence.

The remaining 98 pass holders were caught breaching the country’s safe distancing and other Covid-19 containment regulations and were found eating, drinking and gathering in groups in public during that period.

Singapore’s circuit breaker regulations were imposed in early April to help curb the spread of Covid-19 in the community.

MOM said that the offences took place at various locations such as dormitories, private residential areas, East Coast Park and Robertson Quay.

“(The group) includes six work pass holders who were found guilty on Thursday for breach of circuit breaker measures. They had gathered near Robertson Quay during the circuit breaker period when social gatherings were prohibited,” it said.

Apart from having their work passes revoked, these individuals have also been permanently banned from working in Singapore, the ministry added.

MOM warned that all work pass holders here must abide by the law.

The ministry will continue to take enforcement actions against work pass holders who do not comply with the requirements, “including the revocation of work passes”.

“This is regardless of the work pass holder’s nationality and pass type.”

It added that employers and work pass holders have a joint responsibility to ensure that workers abide by safe distancing measures and, where applicable, requirements such as quarantine orders and stay-home notices.

“As Singapore gradually eases into Phase Two of reopening, strict compliance is crucial to continue to safeguard the health and safety of individuals and the community at large,” MOM said.