SINGAPORE — A Singaporean man will be charged in court on Friday (April 17) with breaching the conditions of his stay-home notice, after he left his house to meet a friend to settle personal matters.

Foo Ching Guan, 32, arrived in Singapore from Thailand on March 17 and was given a stay-home notice from March 17 to 31, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a statement on Thursday.

But on March 29, he left his home at Kreta Ayer Road and took a private-hire vehicle to Sengkang Central, where he met a friend to settle personal matters.

The Government had announced that from 11.59pm on March 16, all residents, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore with a travel history to any country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) would be given a 14-day stay-home notice to minimise the spread of Covid-19. This rule was later extended to all residents, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore from 11.59pm on March 20, regardless of their travel history.

Aside from Singapore, the other nine Asean countries are Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Individuals serving a stay-home notice must remain in their residence at all times.

For breaching his stay-home notice, Foo will be charged in court under the Infectious Diseases (Covid-19 — Stay Orders) Regulations 2020.

If found guilty, he could be fined up to S$10,000, jailed up to six months, or be punished with both.

ICA said it would not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against those who breach the requirements of their stay-home notices. Aside from prosecuting offenders under the Infectious Diseases Act, the agency may also cancel their immigration facilities where applicable.

ICA reiterated that all travellers arriving in Singapore must submit complete and accurate health and travel declarations via the SG Arrival Card.

Those who make false or misleading declarations can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act. If found guilty, they can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed up to six months, or face both penalties.

Repeat offenders can be fined up to S$20,000, jailed up to 12 months, or be punished with both.

For foreigners, ICA may also revoke or shorten the validity of their permits or passes, which allow them to remain in Singapore.

Members of the public who wish to provide information about individuals who flout the conditions of their stay-home notices can visit go.gov.sg/reportshnbreach or call 6812 5555.