FAQs About Stay-Home Notices That Will Be Issued to A Number of People Now

Lest you’re unaware, the Singapore government recently announced some new measures to tackle the problem of imported Covid-19 cases into Singapore and prevent the spread of the virus further.

Since yesterday, 16 Mar 2020, everyone who arrives in Singapore after travelling to a certain list of countries will be issued a Stay-Home Notice (SHN), in which they are not allowed to leave their house for 14 days.

FAQs Regarding The SHN

Now, if you’re a couch potato who hates leaving the house, adhering to the SHN might not be too hard for you.

But for the rest who can’t bear the thought of being stuck in one place for 14 days, I’m sure you might have many burning questions about the terms and conditions of the SHN.

Like, what about buying food and groceries? Especially since everyone has gone into panic buying mode again.

Well, not to worry. All your questions will be answered by the end of this article.

Where Must I Have Travelled To To Be Issued A Stay-Home Notice?

Previously, the SHN was already being issued to those returning to Singapore after travelling to China (excluding Hubei province), France, Germany, Italy, Iran, South Korea and Spain.

However, a new set of countries were announced on Sunday, 15 Mar, and these include:

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Japan
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Malaysia (with the exception of arrivals by land and sea)

This means that a lot more people will now be staying at home.

However, people will no longer be able to enter Singapore according to the latest confirmation by the Malaysia government on the lockdown.

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Who Can Be Issued A Stay-Home Notice?

The new Stay-Home notices will be issued to everyone returning from these countries, regardless of whether they’re a tourist, long-term pass holder or a Singapore resident.

As for short-term visitors to Singapore who have travelled to ASEAN countries, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom previously, they will have to provide proof of where they are staying in order to serve this notice.

This could be their hotel, or a family member’s address if they are staying with their relative.

What Can I Do While On A Stay-Home Notice?

Once you’ve been issued the notice, what happens next?

Well, just as the name suggests, you’ll basically be staying at home. 24/7. There really is no simpler way to put it.

What Can’t I Do While On A Stay-Home Notice?

The real question is, what are you NOT allowed to do?

Those issued the SHN are not allowed to step out of their house for the 14 days, under any circumstances.

Yes, not even for food. You can make use of delivery services to order food, get someone else to buy it for you, or just cook.

Authorities will be keeping track of your location by sending you text messages, phone calls and conducting random house checks.

Upon receiving a text message, you will have to send them your exact location through the GPS on your phone. If you get a phone call instead, you’ll need to take pictures of your surroundings to verify where you are.

In other words, it’s a little bit like being in a relationship with an extremely possessive boyfriend or girlfriend.

On the bright side, you can break up with them after exactly 14 days.

What If I’m Staying With Someone Who Has A Stay-Home Notice?

What if you’re not the one who was issued the SHN but it’s someone whom you live with instead?

It doesn’t mean you have to move out or find a new house.

But in case you want to be extra safe and stay somewhere else, here are some amazing staycation offers that you can check out.

Anyway, all you need to do is minimise your interaction and contact with them. It’s better to maintain some distance, and avoid sharing the same items – like beds and toiletries.

Sharing is caring, but not in this case. 

Try to avoid using the same toilet. However, if such an arrangement won’t work out, just make sure that you clean the toilet surfaces thoroughly and more frequently, and use separate towels.

What If I Break The Rules?

If you are issued a Stay-home notice, now’s not the time to rebel as failing to comply with all the rules could lead to grave consequences.

You could be prosecuted under Section 21A of the Infectious Diseases Act, lose your PR status/Long-Term Visit Pass, or be dismissed from your school.

I’m sure you don’t want any of that to happen so if you have to stay at home for 14 days, just do it.

At the end of the 14 days, there is no need to see a doctor to check on your condition. Instead, all you need to do is thank God that it’s over and return back to your normal daily life.