18 people at Sengkang gathering to be charged with flouting safe-distancing rules

In two separate cases, 28 people will be charged in court with flouting safe distancing regulations by holding and attending social gatherings, said the police in statements on Tuesday (July 21).

The first group of 18, comprising 17 Singaporeans and a permanent resident aged 19 to 37, will be charged in court between Wednesday and Friday with offences during the circuit breaker period. 

On May 8, a couple living in Compassvale Crescent invited eight men and eight women to their home for a social gathering, said the police.

The 16 guests who visited the couple’s home between 9.30pm on May 8 and 1am on May 9 will be charged with violating restrictions by leaving their place of residence without a valid reason. 

The couple will be charged with violating the restrictions on permitting other individuals to enter their place of residence without a valid reason.

All 18 will also be charged with violating the prohibition on social gatherings under Covid-19 regulations.

The second group of 10, comprising five men and five women aged between 19 and 33, will be changed in court on Wednesday with offences during phase two of Singapore’s reopening after the circuit breaker.

At around 12.50am on June 28, the police received a noise pollution complaint at Block 42 Beo Crescent.

When they arrived, 13 people were gathered at a fitness corner near the block, said the police. Portable tables and chairs had been set up and bottles of liquor were found.

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Ten from the group will be charged with violating restrictions on leaving their place of residence without a valid reason and for violating the prohibition on social gatherings of more than five persons under the Covid-19 regulations.

They will also be charged with consuming liquor at a public place during the no-public drinking period, which lasts from 10.30pm to 7am daily.

Of the three remaining individuals, the police - in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers - have given a 12-month conditional warning to a 14-year-old boy for violating restrictions on leaving his place of residence without a valid reason and for violating the prohibition on social gatherings under Covid-19 regulations. 

Two others from the group will be dealt with separately for breaching the Covid-19 regulations, as they are currently also being investigated for other unrelated offences.

The police warned that they will not hesitate to take action against anyone who does not comply with safe distancing measures or shows blatant disregard for the law.  

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This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.