Buzz returns to hawker centres, coffee shops as curbs ease

Brisk business seen at several venues where patrons can dine in groups of up to five

- Anjali Raguraman, Jean Iau and Siti Sarah

Several hawkers and coffee-shop stall owners saw the buzz return to their venues yesterday morning, as patrons from different households were once again allowed to dine in groups of up to five.

As part of the initial batch of venues that will allow such groups, 11 hawker centres and seven coffee shops were identified as being able to control access, as well as conduct checks on the vaccination status of their customers.

Hawkers told The Straits Times they saw more life yesterday morning compared with the earlier weeks, when patrons could dine only alone or in pairs.

“You can feel the difference today, it’s busier,” said Madam Ng Bee Leng, 57, whose family has been running Holland Village Homemade Soyabean at Holland Village Market and Food Centre since the 1970s.

“More parents have been bringing their kids here. I have not seen them for so long.”

It was a similar case at Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre.

Madam Ainun Hasan, 50, a full time employee at Warong Lorong Fatimah stall, said: “The hawker centre feels a lot livelier today. Usually it’s very quiet, especially since people order takeaways.