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Woman on MC for respiratory symptoms went to Bugis Junction, Yew Tee Point

(Source: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust)
Bugis Junction, where Ang Suy Yen visited while on MC. (Source: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust)

SINGAPORE — A woman who was given a medical certificate (MC) due to an upper respiratory tract infection, but went shopping with her boyfriend before her swab test results were out, was jailed for three weeks on Wednesday (1 September).

Ang Siu Yen had visited Healthway Medical Clinic at Yishun in October last year for treatment for a runny nose, cough with phlegm and dry sore throat. She was asked to take a COVID-19 swab test and stay at home until she received a negative test result for COVID-19.

The 22-year-old Malaysian and Singapore permanent resident pleaded guilty to one count under Reg 3(2) Infectious Diseases (COVID-19 - Stay Orders) Regulations 2020 for leaving her accommodation despite being issued with a medical certificate ordering her to stay home.

Acknowledged doctor's instructions

On 24 October last year, at about 8.39am, Ang visited the clinic and was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection. The doctor informed Ang of the diagnosis and told her to go for a COVID-19 swab test and stay at home until she was notified that her COVID-19 swab test result was negative.

Ang acknowledged the instructions and was later given a medical certificate excusing her from work for four days from 24 to 27 October 2020. The MC also stated that she was required by law to stay at home for the duration stated in the MC or until her negative swab test result was out.

Ang left the clinic and took a swab test. She then returned home.

However, the next day, she left home. Her EZ-Link card records revealed her movement throughout the day, including taking a bus to the National Library at 2.07pm, meeting her boyfriend and shopping with him at Bugis Junction, and taking public transport to Yew Tee MRT at around 4.41pm.

After alighting at the MRT station, Ang bumped into her friend near Block 761 Choa Chu Kang and walked two dogs with her. She also posed for a photo with the friend. She then headed to Yew Tee Point to have dinner with her boyfriend.

Later, she returned to Yishun via public transport.

Between 12.15pm and 12.50pm that day, a doctor at Healthway Medical Clinic arrived at Ang's residence to inform her that her swab test sample was rejected and she needed to do another test. However, Ang was not at home, and he contacted her through her housemate's mobile phone. He told her she needed to take another test and reminded her that she should not be outdoors.

Ang eventually tested negative for COVID-19, court proceedings revealed.

She could have been jailed up to six months and/or fined up to $10,000 for breaching her stay-home requirements.

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