Singapore Residents & Pass Holders With Stay-Home Notices From ICA Musn’t Leave Home For 14 Days
Just 12 hours after Stay-Home Notices (SHN) took effect, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers issued 77 notices.
This measure was introduced because of a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases outside of Hubei province in China, where Wuhan is the capital city.
The new scheme started on Tuesday (18 Feb) at 11.59pm, reported The Straits Times.
Recent returnees not allowed to leave home
The notices were given to Singapore residents, long-term pass holders, and foreign workers who were in mainland China in the last 14 days.
Travellers coming from Hubei will be quarantined and thus, are not part of this scheme.
They will have to remain in their homes for the entirety of 14 days. Unlike the leave of absence (LOA), they are not allowed to leave their homes at all.
Furthermore, they must avoid visitors and keep a record of people they come into close contact with during the 2 weeks.
Parents and guardians are held responsible for their children or wards under 18 years old.
Strict enforcement of stay-home notices
The scheme will be enforced strictly. Those who do not observe the stay-home period face a fine of up to $10,000, maximum jail term of 6 months, or both for the first offence.
Permanent residents and pass holders who flout the rule may have their re-entry permits shortened or worse, revoked.
Students will also be held accountable and face suspension or even dismissal from school.
For those concerned about how to ensure those on SHN stay at home, enforcement officers will check up through random calls and spot checks too.
Hope outbreak will be curbed soon
It is everyone’s social responsibility to serve stay-home periods and quarantines fully to avoid potentially spreading the virus.
With the check-ups by enforcement officials, hopefully everyone will dutifully remain indoors.
This way, we can ensure that we do not continue to import the virus here.
Featured image adapted from TTG Asia.
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