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Blk 216 Bedok Food Centre is safe to visit, according to Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung and Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Health Tan Kiat How.
On 5 May, Mr Ong and Mr Tan, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC), visited Blk 216 Bedok Food Centre for a meal to reassure the public that it is safe to visit the food centre.
This comes amidst the reduced footfall at the food centre after it was announced as one of the 3 newly discovered tuberculosis (TB) clusters on 30 Apr. This has impacted hawker businesses, with the stall owner of Ummi Kitchen telling the Straits Times that the number of her customers fell by up to 70%
On their social media accounts, both Ministers emphasised that TB is only spread after close and prolonged exposure rather than brief and casual contact. They urged the public not to avoid these locations, assuring them that TB screening is being conducted to ensure public safety.
The screening, which is taking place from 4 to 8 May, is mandatory for about 700 tenants and employees who work at the 3 locations, and voluntary for people who have visited these places for an extended period of time since 2023.
To support hawkers and merchants at Blk 216 Bedok Food Centre during this period of reduced footfall, they will only need to pay half of their rent and service and conservancy charges (S&CC) in May. This was announced on Mr Tan’s social media page.
If you live in the East or are visiting Bedok anytime soon, you can stop by for a meal at Blk 216 Bedok Food Centre. If you’d rather play on the cautious side, you could also dabao your meal, although it’s safe to dine in as well.
Let’s give the hawkers our fullest support, because after all, they’re an important part of our economy and a crucial source of our good food!
Madam Chua 133 Mian Fen Guo: 25-year-old stall serving $2.50 handmade ban mian soup in the East
