A 64-year-old cleaner in Singapore, Tamilselvam Ramaiya, was sentenced to 2 weeks imprisonment on Monday (18 September) after pleading guilty to an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.
Back in 2021, he was found to have Covid-19, and deliberately coughed in the direction of two colleagues. One of them had kidney issues and was undergoing dialysis at the time, according to The Straits Times.
A Not-So-Harmless “Joke”
Tamilselvam Ramaiya initially claimed that his actions were nothing more than a “joke.” However, the prosecution made it clear that this was no laughing matter.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sruthi Boppana emphasized the gravity of the situation, especially considering the backdrop of a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in Singapore at the time.
The Incident Unfolds
Tamilselvam, a 64-year-old Singaporean, was employed as a cleaner for the investment holding firm Leong Hup Singapore. On the fateful morning of October 18, 2021, he reported for work at the logistics office in Senoko Way with a runny nose.
An assistant logistics manager, concerned about his symptoms, asked Tamilselvam to take an antigen rapid test (ART). The test returned a positive result, prompting the manager to instruct Tamilselvam to go home immediately.
The manager then took the responsible step of informing the two colleagues about the cleaner’s condition. These colleagues were a 40-year-old male logistics supervisor and a 56-year-old female clerk, who had underlying heart and kidney issues.
However, instead of leaving the premises, Tamilselvam went in search of the assistant logistics manager.
The Shocking Act
The real shock came when Tamilselvam entered an enclosed, air-conditioned office where the two colleagues were present. It was around 10:30 AM when this incident occurred.
The logistics supervisor, well aware of Tamilselvam’s positive Covid-19 status, warned the driver accompanying him not to get too close. He also urged Tamilselvam to exit the office immediately.
What happened next was both alarming and reckless. Tamilselvam, wearing his mask initially, walked toward the office door and intentionally coughed into the room with his mask on. Shockingly, he repeated this act not once, but twice.
The clerk, seated near a window, was unfortunate enough to witness his actions up close. Tamilselvam opened the office window from the outside and coughed in her direction while maintaining his mask, although he was just an arm’s length away.
Unsurprisingly, the two colleagues were left in distress and immediately reported the incident to the assistant logistics manager, who promptly lodged a police report.
The Legal Consequences
On Monday, Tamilselvam Ramaiya faced the legal consequences of his actions. Deputy Public Prosecutor Sruthi Boppana urged the court to impose a sentence of three to four weeks’ jail, emphasizing that his actions demonstrated a wanton disregard for the safety of his colleagues.
Of particular concern was the female victim, a dialysis patient with cardiac and renal issues. She, understandably, was deeply alarmed by Tamilselvam’s reckless behavior, taking an antigen rapid test on herself soon after the incident to ensure her safety.
In his defense, Tamilselvam’s lawyer, Lee Wei Yung, pleaded for a fine instead of a jail sentence, citing his pre-existing heart condition and did not act out of malice towards the victims.