Mohammad Faidzal Nazeri, 44-years-old, was diagnosed with acute respiratory illness and given a Stay Home Notice (SHN).
However, he then went on a staycation at Orchard Hotel with his wife and daughters for 5 days and 4 nights.
He was sentenced on 28 February to 13 weeks imprisonment for breaching of Covid-19 rules, with the prosecution calling his infraction the longest breach in terms of the time spent outside during a SHN.
What happened?
Faidzal visited Jurong Polyclinic on 29 January last year, at about 10am, complaining of a cough over the last 2 days.
The doctor diagnosed him with an upper respiratory tract infection and he was then asked to do a swab test, but Faidzal refused, saying that he had to rush home to care for his kids because his wife needed to work.
Faidzal agreed to return the next day for a swab test but failed to do so.
He was given a 5-days MC from 29 January to 2 February 2021, and the doctor told him that he was required to stay home during the period, under the law.
Faidzal then checked into Orchard Hotel with his family for a staycation hours later, from 29 January to 2 February.
He had lied to investigation officers, saying that he only walked to Far East Plaza over the four days, and his movement was then tracked by MOH using his motorcycle’s IU number.
He eventually confessed that he used his motorbike to ride between his house and Orchard Hotel during his staycation, for about 10 times.
Pictures of him swimming in the pool of the hotel were shared by his wife on social media, and he was eventually caught when a photo of him swimming was seen by one of his daughter’s teachers, who reported it to MOH.
His two daughters were then given 5 days’ leave from school due to his respiratory sickness.