The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many uncertainties, but even if the virus were to stick around for another 10 years, you can be sure of one thing: people will flout coronavirus-related rules.
Unlike wearing seatbelts in vehicles and not consuming drugs, people seem to have no problem breaking COVID-19 rules even though it puts them and others at risk of contracting a deadly illness.
After more than a year of restrictions, restrictions, and more restrictions, some people have had enough, and they’re partying like it’s 2019.
83 People Under Investigation for Breaching COVID-19 Regulations to Smoke, Drink, and Sing
More than 80 people here are being investigated by the police for doing things that were perfectly legal just over a year ago: singing, drinking, and socialising.
Those arrested in four separate occasions include 46 men and 37 women, aged 20 to 58, the police said in a news release on Monday (22 Mar).
As you know, most entertainment outlets here have been closed for over a year. So, desperate for some fun, some people have started partying in clandestine locations.
The accused individuals were allegedly served liquor and provided with public entertainment at office or shophouse units without a valid licence.
One of the suspected operators of the unit – a 22-year-old man – is currently being investigated for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, as well as offences under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.
Four Vietnamese women found at the unit were arrested on suspicion of being employed without a valid work pass.
Gathered in Office Units
Office units seem to be the location of choice for parties these days, thanks to its inconspicuousness.
In a raid at an office unit along Ubi Avenue 3 on 18 March, the authorities found 18 men and 17 women drinking and socialising, including the four Vietnamese women.
Another 8 men and 7 women, aged between 21 and 38, were allegedly drinking, smoking, and singing in an office unit along Pemimpin Drive in the Bishan area on 25 Feb.
The police believe that the operator even hired three men to be “lookouts” for the group.
Five men and six women aged 20 to 38 also allegedly gathered in another office unit along Jalan Bukit Merah to drink, smoke, and sing on 13 March.
And on 1 March, 12 men and seven women, aged between 21 and 39, were allegedly drinking and singing in a shophouse unit along East Coast Road.
Facing Up to 6 Months in Jail
If convicted of breaching COVID-19 laws, these individuals face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
As for those who employ a foreign employee without a valid work pass, they could be jailed for up to a year, fined between S$5,000 and S$30,000, or both.
The police, as they’ve done time and time again, reminded members of the public to take safe-distancing regulations seriously.
Remember when there were no parties at all during the circuit breaker? Well, if we continue to party like it’s 2019, we could go back to living like its April 2020 all over again.
Feature Image: spaxiax / Shutterstock.com
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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