The Police will be charging 24 men and 10 women, aged between 20 and 50, on 22 February 2022 with breaches of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. Of the 34 persons, a 31-year-old man will also be charged with offences under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act and the Public Entertainments Act, while six men, aged between 20 and 38, will face additional charges for offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act.
The cases are as follows:
- In a Police operation conducted on 23 October 2020, six men and seven women, aged between 20 and 42, were allegedly socializing and consuming alcohol within an industrial unit along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5. They will each be charged with one count of prohibition of social gatherings under Regulation 6 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
- In a case reported on 15 June 2021, eight men and three women, aged between 21 and 31, were allegedly consuming alcohol and socializing within an unlicensed ‘KTV-concept’ at an office unit at Woodlands Industrial Park E. They will be charged with one count of prohibition of social gatherings under Regulation 6 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. In addition to the 11 persons, the operator of the unlicensed ‘KTV-concept’, another 31-year-old man, who had allegedly supplied alcohol to the patrons, will also face a charge under Regulation 9 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, and other additional offences under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.
- In a Police operation conducted on 18 June 2021, seven men, aged between 20 and 31, were allegedly socializing at a residential unit along Zion Road. They will each face a charge of prohibition of social gatherings under Regulations 6 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. Five of them, who were allegedly engaging in gambling activities in the unit, will also be charged with additional offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act.
- In a Police operation conducted on 16 September 2021, a 38-year-old man and a 50-year-old man were allegedly gathering in a unit along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 with 12 other persons. The duo will each face one charge of prohibition of social gatherings under Regulation 6 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. The 38-year-old man, who was allegedly gambling in the unit, will also be charged with an additional offence under the Common Gaming Houses Act. The other 12 persons have been dealt with separately.
Under Section 28(1) of the Public Entertainments Act 1958, those found providing any public entertainment without a valid license may be fined up to $20,000. Under Section 4(1) of the Liquor Control Act 2015, any person found supplying any alcohol without a valid license may be fined up to $20,000. Repeat offenders will be fined up to $20,000, face imprisonment for up to three months, or both. Under Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1961, those found managing or assisting in the management of a place kept or used as a common gaming house may be fined up to $50,000 and face imprisonment for up to three years.
For non-compliance with safe management measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, which is punishable under Section 34(7) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to $10,000, or both.
Members of the public are advised to take the prevailing safe management measures seriously. The Police take a stern view of irresponsible behaviour relating to the flouting of these measures and offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
21 February 2022 @ 1:00 PM