26-year-old Indian national, Balachandran Parthiban, disobeyed orders not to leave the hospital premises after his swab test, and took a bus and taxi to Changi Airport.
He had tried to buy a ticket home but failed.
He was later caught by the police and subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 the following day.
Parthiban pleaded guilty on 12 July to 2 charges under the Infectious Diseases Act, and was sentenced to 9 months jail.
What happened?
Parthiban was living at the Jurong Penjuru Dormitory 1 when it was declared an isolation area last year (18 April).
On 23 May, he felt sick and suspected he had Covid-19 because his dorm mates had been infected.
He was conveyed to SGH in an ambulance where he was swabbed, before being transferred at 1.40pm to a fever screening area.
He was repeatedly told in English and Tamil that he couldn’t leave the area until the results were ready.
But Parthiban then left the premises and walked towards Tiong Bahru before boarding a public bus, before alighting and taking a taxi to Changi Airport.
He then tried to buy a ticket home but failed.
Parthiban then loitered around the airport for about 4 hours before he was found by the police and taken back to SGH.
The taxi driver who picked him up was quarantined for 14 days and tested negative for Covid-19.
Parthiban was discharged on 8 June last year and sent back to his dormitory, where he was to remain for 14 days under LOA.
But he left the dorm after 8 days with his passport and 2 bags, at around 6am.
He took a taxi to the airport and tried to buy a ticket home (again), but he failed (again).
He then slept at the airport and went to a relative’s home in Tampines the following day, on 17 June.
He then confessed everything to his relative, who informed Parthiban’s supervisor.
The police arrived and took him back to his dormitory.
Images source: SG Dirty Fella and Google Maps