He violated Singapore's Infectious Diseases Act
A hotel employee was handed an eight-week jail sentence for flouting Singapore's coronavirus restrictions in April last year. Chan Foo Mun, 44, was found guilty of violating Singapore's Infectious Diseases Act after he still reported to work despite being issued a medical certificate.
According to Singapore's policies, individuals who exhibit acute respiratory infection symptoms had to undergo a COVID-19 swab test and remain at home for five days.
The hotel Chan worked on also required its unwell staff members to see a doctor and to remain at home upon receiving a medical certificate.
Chan violated the said policies in April last year after he still went to work even if he was issued a medical certificate after experiencing cough and blocked nose for about two to three days.
The employee also failed to inform his supervisor and colleagues about the medical certificate, which he did not claim when he left his doctor consultation early and proceeded to work.
In addition, Chan also left his home the day after his consultation to buy lunch. He took public transportation during his trip, and security footage revealed that he was not wearing a face mask while at the lift lobby of his public housing block.
Chan defended his actions saying he did not want deduction to his pay because he was unable to report to work, an argument not accepted by District Judge Jasvender Kaur because he placed his interests above the public's safety.
"While I note the breaches were not committed due to frivolous reasons and he was concerned with his livelihood, this must be balanced with the fact that he was diagnosed with acute respiratory symptoms amid the circuit breaker, and he was prepared to place his own personal interests above the health of others whom he came into contact with," said Kaur in her decision as quoted by Today Online.
Kaur also said Chan's "saving grace" was because he did not test positive for COVID-19, according to another report from Yahoo News Singapore.
Singapore at the time was under a circuit breaker period that restricted the public's movement. His violation could have landed him in jail for six months and/or fined by up to $10,000.
