All 26 Hua Zai Outlets to Close for 14 Days to Curb “Likely Ongoing Transmission” of COVID-19 Among Employees

In addition to travelling the globe, the coronavirus enjoys nothing more than eating and shopping.

That’s why so many cases have been found in airports and shopping malls.

It was therefore unsurprising when the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on 30 May that a food court in Anchorvale was the source of a new cluster.

Now, it turns out that a particular stall at the NTUC Foodfare coffee shop could have ongoing transmission among its workers as well.

All 26 Hua Zai Outlets to Close for 14 Days to Curb “Likely Ongoing Transmission” of COVID-19 Among Employees

In MOH’s news release on 1 June, thankfully, no new cases linked to the NTUC Foodfare outlet were reported yesterday (1 Jun).

Residents breathed a sigh of relief, because if the coronavirus starts laying claim to our food courts as well, we may all need a therapist.

However, after the health ministry carried out investigations into cases who worked at Hua Zai, a stall which sells “Hong Kong style” roasted meat dishes, they determined that there is likely to be an ongoing transmission among workers at some of its outlets.

The Hua Zai outlet in NTUC Foodfare, located at 308 Anchorvale Road, has been closed since 30 May, following identification of the cluster at the coffee shop.

Yesterday, MOH closed all 26 Hua Zai outlets to members of the public until 15 June, when it’ll be allowed to reopen.

With the closure, the ministry hopes to break any potential chain of transmission. It will also enable deep cleaning of the premises.

9 Cases Linked to Food Court Cluster

At the moment, there are nine COVID-19 community cases linked to the NTUC Foodfare cluster.

The first case in the cluster to be identified is a 33-year-old male Malaysia national who works as a kitchen assistant at Hua Zai Eating House.

He was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Saturday (29 May), the day before the cluster was identified.

On the same day, another 23-year-old Malaysian national, who works as a cook at West Grill Station (Anchorvale), also tested positive for COVID-19.

Then, on 30 May, five more infections were linked to the two cases, namely:

• A 47-year-old male Malaysia national who works as a kitchen assistant at Hua Zai HK Style Roasted Delights (21 Hougang Street 51)
• A 21-year-old male Vietnam national who works as a kitchen assistant at Hua Zai HK Style Roasted Delight Rice Noodle (308 Anchorvale Road)
• A 22-year-old male Malaysia national who works as a kitchen assistant at Hua Zai HK Style Roasted Delights (21 Hougang Street 51)
• A 27-year-old male Malaysia national who works as a kitchen assistant at Hua Zai HK Style Roasted Delight Rice Noodle (308 Anchorvale Road)
• A 29-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who works as a chef at Rice Garden (308 Anchorvale Road)

The next day, on 31 May, two more additions were recorded:

• A 33-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) who works as a supervisor at Hua Zai HK Style Roasted Delight Rice Noodle (308 Anchorvale Road)
• A 33-year-old male Malaysia national who works as a kitchen assistant at Hua Zai HK Style Roasted Delights (308 Anchorvale Road and 476D Upper Serangoon View)

As you can see, a majority of cases work at Hua Zai.

Those who visited NTUC Foodfare’s outlet at 308 Anchorvale Road from 13 May to 30 May can take a free COVID-19 test as the health ministry hopes to draw a ring around its infections.

Feature Image: Facebook (华仔-余药材港式烧腊)