First Man to be Charged for Going Out While on 5-Day MC; Got Called Out By His Own Son

Trying to breach your stay-home notice is a pretty gutsy but dumb thing to do.

Gutsy because getting caught could land you in jail, and dumb because getting caught could land you in jail.

This guy probably thought he had covered all the bases to avoid getting caught, but forgot there was someone else checking up on him.

His son. 

First Man to be Charged for Going Out While on 5-Day MC; Got Called Out By His Own Son

Dharamnath Singh, a 63-year-old retired technician, was given a 5-day medical certificate (MC) when he visited Toa Payoh Polyclinic on 6 April complaining of a runny nose and cough.

The doctor’s diagnosis was an “acute upper respiratory infection”, which in 2020 means “stay the hell away from everyone around you”.

And that’s exactly what Singh was told to do.

The doctor informed Singh that he was required by law to stay at home for the five-day period and was not permitted to leave for any reason other than to seek medical attention.

His MC also included the remarks: “Stay Home Notice – advised to stay at home during the period of the MC”, according to CNA.

When Singh learned about the stay-home requirement, he tried to cancel the consultation, and only accepted the MC because the doctor threatened to call the police.

At any rate, the message was pretty clear: stay at home.

So, what did he do that very night? He left his home to buy dinner from a coffee shop, of course.

His son, who stayed in the same house, informed the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on 10 April that his father had left their home when he was not supposed to.

Singh later claimed that his son didn’t offer to buy him food, even though he knew his father was ill.

Fined $5,000

The 63-year-old was charged with one count of exposing others to the risk of infection to Covid-19 and fined $5,000.

The authorities later discovered that Singh had left his home twice every day for the four remaining days of his MC, to buy lunch and dinner.

He also left his home without a face covering on three of these occasions.

Those Who Go Out During 5-Day MC Period Could Be Jailed

Singh only got a fine, but it could have ended a lot worse for him.

The reason why people with acute respiratory symptoms are given such a long period off from work or school is that they may have the coronavirus and could spread it to those around them.

5 days isn’t even that long, compared to the typical 2-week quarantine issued to travellers from abroad.

Those who flout their five-day sick leave could be jailed for six months, fined $10,000, or both.

Those who are given a 5-day MC will be informed that they can opt for home delivery services. They will also be given a number for assistance from the People’s Association if needed.

So, there’s really no reason to go out when you’re sick, even if you have a son who’s too lazy to buy food for you but will gladly call the authorities on you.