34 people, consisting of 24 men and 10 women aged between 20 and 50, will be charged in court on Tuesday (22 February) for allegedly breaching the COVID-19 rules, reported Zaobao.
The offences were reportedly committed between October 2020 and September 2021.
Among them is a 31-year-old man who will also be charged with offences under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act and the Public Entertainments Act, while six other men will face additional charges for offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act.
First Case
During a police operation on 23 October 2020, six men and seven women were allegedly caught socialising and consuming alcohol in an industrial unit along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5.
They will each be charged with one count of prohibition of social gatherings under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
Second Case
In the second case which was reported on 15 June 2021, eight men and three women were allegedly consuming alcohol and socialising in an unlicensed “KTV concept” at an office unit at Woodlands Industrial Park E. They will be charged with one count of prohibition of social gatherings.
Another person, a 31-year-old man who had allegedly supplied alcohol to the patrons, will also be charged for breaching COVID-19 regulations, as well as other offences under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.
Third Case
In the third case involving a police operation on 18 June last year, seven men were allegedly socialising at a residential unit along Zion Road. The men will each be charged with prohibition of social gatherings.
Five of them, who were purportedly engaging in gambling activities in the unit, will also be charged with additional offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act.
Fourth Case
The fourth case involved a 38-year-old man and a 50-year-old man who were allegedly gathering in a unit along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 with 12 other people on 16 September last year.
They will each face one charge of prohibition of social gatherings. The 38-year-old man, who was purportedly gambling in the unit, will also receive an additional charge under the Common Gaming Houses Act.
It was reported that the 12 other people have been dealt with separately.
Punishment
Anyone found guilty of breaching Covid-19 safe-distancing regulations may be jailed for up to six months or fined up to $10,000, or receive both punishments.
Those found guilty of providing public entertainment without a valid licence could be fined up to $20,000.
Individuals found guilty of supplying alcohol without a valid licence may be fined up to $20,000, with repeat offenders facing a jail term of up to three months or a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
Those convicted of managing or assisting in the management of a place kept or used as a common gaming house may be jailed for up to three years or fined up to $50,000.
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