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SINGAPORE – Two people who broke Covid-19 rules when they participated in an illegal gathering on a pleasure boat on December 26 last year were fined $ 3,000 each on Monday (March 1).
British Amy Grace Ropner, 28, and Singaporean permanent resident Mark Lau San Mao, 30, were the first two people to be treated in court for being part of the event.
They pleaded guilty to a crime under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.
The cases involving eight other Britons: Annabelle Morgan Duke, 26; Philip Edward Knatchbull Holmes, 27; Mark Alexander Bellamy, 29; Amy Georgina Hunt, 30 years old; Thomas Cuthbert Williams-Jones, 30; Oliver Francis William Campbell, 31 years old; Benjamin David Waters, 32; and Amy Alexandra Stewart, 32, are still pending.
At the time of the incident, social gatherings were limited to five people.
Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Koh said the pleasure boat named Advant was owned and operated by a company called Beyond Luxury. It can be booked for excursions through a reservation agent.
The court heard that Hunt contacted one of those agents, Marine Bookings, last October to charter a 10-person yacht on Boxing Day.
At around 11 a.m. on December 26 of last year, Ropner, Lau and the eight other suspected criminals met with the two members of the yacht’s crew at the Sentosa’s Cove Avenue marina.
The DPP added: “Before departing, the captain of the yacht gave the defendants a pre-departure briefing.
“They were told to stay in two groups of five, one at the front and one at the rear of the yacht, not to mix between the groups, to wear a mask when not in the water or eating or drinking, and that they comply with safety regulations. -management measures on board the yacht ”.
The yacht was in waters off Lazaro Island when spectators spotted the group.
Images and videos of the meeting were later posted on social media. They showed a group of merry men dancing without masks.
In a statement on January 23, the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said that Advant’s license would be suspended for 30 days.
He added: “MPA reminds all recreational boat owners and operators to strictly adhere to the safe management plan they have put forward for their business operations and to play their role in keeping the Covid-19 situation in Singapore under control.
“MPA takes a very serious view of any breach of safe handling measures and will not hesitate to take the reins of the parties involved.”
First-time offenders who break the laws under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $ 10,000.
Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to one year and fined up to $ 20,000.
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