All Ramadan Bazaars by PA, Including the Popular Geylang Bazaar, To Be Cancelled

If you were looking forward to feasting on some Meatballs in a Bucket and Praffles during this year’s Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar, I have some bad news for you.

The iconic bazaar filled with rows of street food and retail shops will, unfortunately, be cancelled this year.

I know it sounds like a bad dream, but it’s not. It’s true.

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the reason why. It’s really not that hard to guess what would cause this big, social event that gathers large crowds of people to be cancelled.

Yes, it’s because of Covid-19.

All Festive Bazaars To Be Cancelled

Covid-19 has already caused tons of events in Singapore and all around the world to be cancelled, or postponed to a later date.

The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar is the latest to join the list.

Previously, we wrote that the bazaar would still continue running, despite the Covid-19 outbreak in Singapore. However, there would be special measures, like a 10-metre distance between each stall.

However, the organisers of the bazaar, the People’s Association (PA), announced on Wednesday, 18 Mar, that they would not be going ahead with any of their Hari Raya festive bazaars this year.

“For the well-being and safety of our residents, the PA will not be organising festive bazaars and trade fairs with effect from March 18, 2020. This includes the annual Hari Raya Bazaars organised at Wisma Geylang Serai as well as at Our Tampines Hub and in Woodlands,” said a spokesman from PA, according to The Straits Times.

So it’s not just the Geylang Serai bazaar that’s cancelled.

It’s all of them.

“As the festive bazaars contribute to the festive mood, we understand that some residents may be disappointed. However, as our bazaars attract large crowds, we have taken the difficult decision not to proceed with these activities,” said the spokesman.

Well, it really is a bummer.

But I guess we all know why it’s necessary.

The Bazaar Was Supposed To Proceed With Precautionary Measures

Initially, when the bazaar was still set to continue, they did mention that there would be additional measures taken in light of the coronavirus situation.

Vendors would have to conduct temperature checks on their workers daily, stalls would be located further apart from one another, and they also had to be cleaned thoroughly every day.

The total number of stalls was also supposed to be reduced from 800 to 500.

And now it’s reduced to zero.

Attracted 2 Million People Last Year

PA had opened a new tender for this year’s Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar at the Wisma Geylang Serai social and cultural heritage hub.

“For festive bazaars where tenders have been awarded, the organisers will abide by the cancellation clauses and look after the interest of the tenderers,” the spokesman from PA said.

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The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar, which was supposed to be held from 18 April to 24 May this year, attracted around 2 million people in 2019.

I can already foresee a new cluster of Covid-19 cases forming if the bazaar were to continue.

So although this piece of news is a tad bit depressing, it’s for the best.

Meanwhile, we can continue to work on social distancing and taking care of our own hygiene to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further.

The sooner the outbreak is contained, the sooner life can get back to normal and nothing else will have to be cancelled.

Oh, wait. I hope one thing to be cancelled.

Cancel the damn COVID-19.