SINGAPORE — Vowing to take stern action against returning Singaporeans who flout their stay-home notices (SHNs), Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam warned on Wednesday (March 25) that the authorities will not hesitate to haul such errant individuals to court.

Recently, there have been unverified messages circulating about such cases, including a Singaporean who had returned from Myanmar but went out to eat bak kut teh, as well as students who came back from the United Kingdom allegedly holding birthday parties and going to nightspots, among other things.

Adding that the authorities are investigating these alleged cases, Mr Shanmugan said: “We are trying to verify some of these messages on SHNs being flouted, and if anyone (has) information about such behaviour, please give it to the police. We will follow up and we cannot allow such behaviour. I have given very clear instructions, that where these cases are verified to be true, we will charge in court.”

He was responding to questions raised by Member of Parliament (Nee Soon GRC) Lee Bee Wah about individuals who disregard the SHNs. 

Mr Shanmugan added: “The government has put in place strict regulations and a strong enforcement network. But regulation and strong enforcement are not going to be enough on their own if people continue to insist on being irresponsible.” 

The Government has barred all travellers from entering or transiting in Singapore since March 22. 

Singapore residents and long-term pass holders returning from abroad are allowed to enter the country. But they will be placed under SHNs to minimise the potential spread of the Covid-19 disease. 

In response to queries from TODAY, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that about 45,800 SHN orders were issued between Feb 19 and Tuesday. Of these, 38,300 remain active.

The SHN is “non-negotiable”, Mr Shanmugam stressed. Those who have been issued with it have to remain in their place of residence “at all times” during the 14-day period.

“It means that Singaporeans won’t be stranded overseas, they can come back, they can get access to our healthcare systems,” he said. “But those who are served with SHNs also have a responsibility. They should not put the wider community at risk.”

To ensure compliance with the SHNs, enforcement checks are conducted. These include surveillance using SMS-web based solutions and mobile applications. 

Those under SHNs are expected to be at home when contacted. If they do not respond to the messages, the authorities will call them. Enforcement officers also conduct unannounced house visits. 

To date, the authorities have already taken action against individuals who flout the SHN. 

For example, the National Institute of Education (NIE) terminated a foreign student from his postgraduate course for breaching his SHN, as well as for repeatedly providing false information to NIE regarding his travel movements. His student pass was also terminated.

A 45-year-old permanent resident who tried to leave Singapore, despite being issued an SHN, had his application for the renewal of his re-entry permit rejected. Mr Shanmugam noted that his PR status was effectively revoked when he left Singapore and he has been barred from coming back to the country. 

Mr Shanmugam said the Ministry of Health will be setting out new regulations under the Infectious Diseases Act that specifically focus on the penalties for SHN breaches.

These include a jail term of up to six months, a S$10,000 fine, or both.

For non-Singaporean citizens working or studying in the country, they could risk having the validity of their passes shortened or revoked and be barred re-entry in Singapore.

As for tourists, they could be asked to leave the country and “barred re-entry forever”, Mr Shanmugam said. 

He reiterated that a “vast majority” of Singaporeans are responsible and have “come together and have acted admirably”. 

“But there will always be a few who are irresponsible in every society, and they risk undoing our efforts and put other people’s lives at risk,” he said.

Writing on Facebook on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged returning Singaporeans to “comply strictly” with their SHNs. 

“You must protect your families and everyone else, in case you turn out to be infected, which unfortunately some returnees will be,” Mr Lee said. 

“Glad that many are behaving responsibly by staying home, but some are not," he added. 

"Please comply — it is irresponsible to gallivant off to eat local food you miss, or to go partying with friends, when you are supposed to stay at home and isolate yourself. You will also be breaking the law.”

TRAVELLERS TO BE NOTIFIED OF SHN REQUIREMENTS EARLIER: ICA 

On Wednesday, ICA announced that travellers arriving in Singapore will be notified of their SHN requirements earlier, instead of only during immigration clearance in Singapore. At the same time, they will be made aware of the penalties if they fail to comply with the requirements. 

From 9am on Friday, all travellers arriving in Singapore — including residents and long-term pass holders — must submit a health declaration before proceeding with immigration clearance, ICA said.

They will have to do so via the SG Arrival Card e-Service. The health declaration will be made available before Friday, so that those arriving in Singapore can complete it in advance. 

Upon the submission of their health declaration, travellers will be notified electronically via email, on the need to comply with the 14-day SHN on arrival in Singapore.