Man on stay-home notice allegedly took friend to hotel room, met others in a car park

SINGAPORE — A 37-year-old man, who had been served a two-week stay-home notice after returning from Thailand last month, was charged on Wednesday (May 6) with breaching it.

Chng Tianxi, a Singaporean, faces six charges under the Infectious Diseases Act and its regulations.

Upon his return to Singapore on March 26, he was meant to serve his stay-home notice at the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard hotel from the day of his arrival to April 9, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a press release.

However, Chng left his hotel room three times to meet people and took a friend into his room on two of those occasions, ICA added.

At the time, all residents, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors entering Singapore had to remain in their place of accommodation at all times. 

These measures were tightened last month and they now have to serve their notice at dedicated facilities.

Court documents stated that as a potential contact of Covid-19, Chng exposed others who were not members of his family or household to the risk of infection.

At about 1.30am on April 1, he allegedly took a lift down to the hotel’s basement car park to pick up his friend. The friend then left his room about three-and-a-half hours later.

On April 4, at about 12.30am, Chng allegedly took the same friend into his room. The friend left about one-and-a-half hours later.

Court documents did not provide any other details about the friend except for the name, Chen Yijun. 

The next day, an ICA officer visited Chng to advise him to stay in his room. It was not stated if ICA knew of his purported breaches then.

Despite the reminder, he allegedly met three friends in the basement car park the next day at about 12.40am. 

He then took the lift with them to the 16th floor and returned to his room 10 minutes later. 

It was not stated what his friends were there for.

On Wednesday, Chng told the court that he intends to plead guilty. 

If convicted, he could be jailed up to six months, fined up to S$10,000 or both for each charge.