Stalls in Markets & Hawker Centres That Closed Due to COVID-19 Won’t Need to Pay Service & Conservancy Charges

It is no secret that hawkers and stall owners are struggling during these tumultuous times. From the need for them to go digital after all these years, to the need for some to take care of their infant while working, these owners are not having a great year.

Now, some of them are forced to close their stalls temporarily as well. But thankfully, the government is there to lend a hand.

Stalls in Markets & Hawker Centres That Closed Due to COVID-19 Won’t Need to Pay Service & Conservancy Charges

Mr Lim Biow Chuan, coordinating chairman for 15 PAP town councils, announced that eight market and hawker centres will have their service and conservancy charges, and temporary occupational licence fee, for the full period of closures waived.

The affected market and food centres are:

• Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre – 13 June to 26 June
• Hong Lim Market and Food Centre – 17 July to 31 July
• Whampoa Drive Market – 22 July to 5 August
• Chong Boon Market & Food Centre – 18 July to 1 August
• Haig Road Market and Food Centre – 21 July to 4 August
• Chong Pang Market – 21 July to 4 August
• Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre – 22 July to 5 August
• Boon Lay Place Food Village – 23 July to 6 August

These eight market and food centres are managed by PAP-run town councils. They were unfortunately identified as part of our ever-increasing COVID-19 clusters and were forced to shut temporarily.

Over 1,076 stallholders were affected.

The waiver came as an act of empathy for the current situation. They also hope that it can lighten the financial burdens of the stallholders during these tumultuous times.

In total, around S$70,000 were waived. Aside from forgoing the fees, the Government also extend their support to these stallholders as well.

Why Are so Many Markets & Food Centres Affected?

It is believed that the fishmongers from these markets and food centres collected their stock from the Jurong Fishery Port and they were “seeded” in the process.

What does “seeded” mean?

It basically means that the virus travelled from an infected individual at the port to a visiting fishmonger and “planted” itself onto the fishmonger. When the fishmonger travels back to his stall, the virus, taking another road trip, planted itself to a customer or other stall owners.

How did the People at Jurong Fishery Port got infected?

Unless there is a satay man selling delicious satays at the port, there should not be an infection right? Wrong.

It is believed that a KTV hostess from the KTV cluster was working at the Jurong Fishery Port. However, it is not confirmed. Investigations are still ongoing.

Read that allegation here.

And within the premises, people were allegedly not wearing their masks properly. Watch this video to understand the importance of masks:

Read Also:

• 10 Facts About the Jurong Fishery Port Cluster That is Actually Linked to the KTV Cluster
• Fish in S’pore Still Safe to Consumption Despite Jurong Fishery Port Cluster

Featured Image: Hit1912 / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)