COVID-19: Man sentenced to community service for not declaring travel history

A Malaysian man that works as a postman in Singapore has been sentenced to 3 months community service for concealing his travel history during a screening for COVID-19. According to The Star, Omar Mat Khatib is the first person to be charged for the violation under Rule 6 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.

It was reported that Omar, aged 31, had returned to Malaysia from Singapore on 18th March after the Movement Control order was implemented. When he arrived at Pendang, Kedah, he had developed flu and fever, and had sought for treatment at the Pendang district health clinic. During his visit at noon on 26th March, he failed to comply with an instruction by a health officer which requires him to provide necessary information on his travel history.

When Magistrate Siti Norhidayah Mohd Noor meted out the sentence, he pleaded guilty. Omar will have to carry out the community service for three hours a day and report himself at the Pendang direct parole officer daily. It was also reported that Omar was given a choice of three months in jail or community service, and he opted for community service.

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