Chinese COVID-19 carrier faces jail in Singapore for lying about whereabouts

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Visitors walked along a walkway at Marina Bay, Singapore in February, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

The man also lost his residency status after failing to comply with an order to stay at home for 14 days when he returned from China.

The husband had been confirmed to be infected with the virus in late January and has since recovered, while his wife had been quarantined due to her close contact with him.

Singapore has won international praise for its fastidious approach in tackling the virus - which has included using police investigators and security cameras to help track suspect carriers. The wealthy island state, an important regional financial center and transport hub, has confirmed 108 cases so far.

The health ministry said "detailed investigations" had established their true movements and they were charged "in view of the potentially serious repercussions of the false information...and the risk they could have posed to public health".

Charges under the Infectious Diseases Act are rare and this is the first case during the coronavirus outbreak in Singapore. First time offenders under the Act can be fined up to S$10,000 ($7,147) or imprisoned for six months, or both.

Also on Wednesday, Singapore said a 45-year-old man lost his residency status after failing to comply with an order to stay at home for 14 days when he returned from China. The city-state - known for its tough laws - has also cancelled work passes and cut employers' rights to hire foreigners for breaches of other virus prevention measures./.