COVID-infected Indian-origin Singaporean jailed for coughing at colleagues
The Hindu
Singaporean Indian, 64, jailed 2 wks for breaching COVID-19 regs by failing to wear mask, coughing at colleagues despite testing positive. Deliberate act caused alarm; no one contracted virus. DPP asked for 3-4 wks' jail, citing fresh surge of cases & tightened restrictions.
A 64-year-old Singaporean of Indian origin was sentenced to two weeks' jail on Monday, September 15, 2023, on pleading guilty to one count of breaching a COVID-19 regulation by failing to wear a mask that covered his nose and mouth while outside his home in 2021.
Despite knowing that he had just tested positive for COVID-19, Tamilselvam Ramaiya deliberately coughed at his colleagues, lowering his mask to do so on one occasion.
Another two charges were taken into consideration during sentencing, according to a Channel News Asia report.
The court heard that Mr. Tamilselvam was working as a cleaner for Leong Hup Singapore at the time.
After reporting for work at 6 Senoko Way on the morning of Oct 18, 2021, he told the assistant logistics manager that he was feeling unwell. He was told to take an antigen rapid test (ART).
A colleague administered the test on Mr. Tamilselvam, and he tested positive for COVID-19.
Given the result, he was instructed to return home and to tell the assistant logistics manager about the result.