S’pore Deliveryman Gets 4 Months’ Jail for Working During 5-Day MC

Falling ill during this difficult period could raise alarm bells, so clinics in Singapore had been advised to give 5-day MCs to patients with respiratory symptoms in the past (now, we get swabbed immediately).

The purpose of this is to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with the law mandating that patients must stay home during this five-day period. 

What happens then if one violates this law?

As one deliveryman found out after working during his five-day MC, there could be a heavy price to pay. 

S’pore Deliveryman Gets 4 Months’ Jail for Working During 5-Day MC

Chen Ming Hua, 40, had been suffering from respiratory symptoms, among them a cough and an itchy throat. 

He visited a clinic at Toa Payoh to seek treatment on 17 April 2020. 

He was diagnosed with a respiratory tract inflammation and was given a 5-day MC. 

It is not known whether or not Chen tested positive for COVID-19. 

In response to this, Chen told the doctor that he cannot stop working for five days as he worked in the wholesale sector. 

He then allegedly left the clinic without making payment or taking the MC. 

Chen proceeded to head to work early the next morning. From 6am-1pm, he delivered fruits and vegetables to 39 customers in several areas including Changi, Punggol, Hougang, East Coast Road, Choa Chu Kang, Woodlands and Bishan. 

By going out to work during his five-day MC, Chen had breached the Infectious Diseases Act. 

He was given four months’ imprisonment.

Those who violate this regulation could be fined up to $10,000, face imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both. 

Bakery Retail Staff in AMK & Orchard among Unlinked Cases Reported on 8 June

In other COVID-related news, there had been three community infections reported yesterday (8 June). 

Among these, two remain unlinked. 

The two unlinked cases include a 54-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who works as a vessel manager at NYK Shipmanagement Pte Ltd, as well as a 35-year-old Malaysian woman who works as a retail assistant at Four Leaves (Ion Orchard and AMK Hub). 

The final community case is linked to the MINDSville@Napiri cluster. He is a resident of the adult care home and displayed no symptoms of COVID-19. 

He had already been vaccinated against the virus, and was detected through proactive testing of residents in the home. 

There was also a new infection uncovered in a migrant workers’ dormitory: a 31-year-old Bangladeshi man who works for Isogo Marine Engineering Pte Ltd as a plumber and pipe fitter.

He displayed no symptoms and was detected through a round of testing for dormitory residents.

To read more, click here.

Featured Image: Jan Kravtsov / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)