The situation might feel dire right now, having gone back to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) not long after exiting it, but things were much worse last year.
During the circuit breaker, which many of us have blacked out, we couldn’t even go out to meet a friend or two, as leaving one’s home was strictly permitted for essential reasons only.
Despite the measures in place, one man decided to leave his house numerous times, once after being given an MC.
Why?
To have a smoke with some friends.
Man Who Had COVID-19 Met Friends to Smoke During Circuit Breaker
The man in question is Leon Chua Yi Yan, a 27-year-old who lives with his parents and two sisters in a Woodlands flat.
His first offence occurred on 14 May, when he met up with his friend Jarren Ng Yong Jie at Woodlands Mart to buy drinks.
The two then met a third man – Phan Chang Rong – at a stairwell near Phan’s flat for a smoke.
Not only did they smoke together – without their masks, of course – they also chatted for half an hour.
The trio did the same thing just three days later, and Chua met another friend, Shu Shao Qiang, on 27 May.
On 30 May, Chua visited Raffles Medical Clinic as he had fallen ill. There, he was given a five-day medical certificate as he exhibited symptoms of acute respiratory infection.
At this point, Chua had two options:
- Stay at home
- Literally anything but leave his house for a smoke again
So, naturally, he left his house for a smoke again, once again with Shu.
This would turn out to be a huge mistake.
Later that same day, the 27-year-old discovered he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Lied to Contact Tracing Officers
As you know, once you’re confirmed as a COVID-19 case, you’ll be contacted by contact tracing officers who’ll enquire about the places you’ve recently visited.
Instead of being forthcoming, Chua omitted his meetings with his friends, and even asked his friends to delete their WhatsApp messages as it was evidence of their illicit meetings.
Shu was the first to agree, with the pair deciding to lie that they had bumped into each at the food court and started chatting.
Ng agreed too, but Phan did not.
Wrote Letter to Health Minister Confessing Crime
One has to applaud Chua, however, for coming clean about his offences.
Felling guilty, Chua wrote a letter to the then-Health Minister Gan Kim Yong confessing to meeting his friends several times during the circuit breaker.
Jailed for 6 Weeks, Friends Fined
Yesterday (26 July), Chua was sentenced to six weeks’ jail and a fine of S$15,000.
He had pleaded guilty to four charges of leaving his residence for a social purpose, with another two charges taken into consideration.
As for his friends, Shu was fined $3,500, Ng $10,000, and Phang $8,000.
So, what have we learned today?
Reader: If you’re a smoker, try to quit?
Uh, sure, that’s good, but that’s not-
Reader: Smoke with your friends, but only with your masks on?
I give up.
Read Also:
- 10 COVID-19 Updates Mentioned in Parliament Summarised for You
- HSA Has Updated The Mask Guidelines; Masks Shouldn’t Be See-Through When Held Against Light
Featured Image: Dan Henson / Shutterstock.com