An American cargo pilot who admitted to poor judgment in breaking a quarantine order to buy medical supplies became the first foreigner imprisoned in Singapore for breaching its restrictions meant to curb the coronavirus, according to AP.

FedEx pilot Brian Dugan Yeargan, 44, of Alaska, was sentenced to four weeks on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to leaving his hotel room for three hours to buy masks and a thermometer, defence lawyer Ronnie Tan said.

Singapore has strict penalties for those who breach quarantine rules, don't wear masks in public or fail to adhere to social distancing measures.

Quarantine violators face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $7,000 or both.