Health Minister Ong Ye Kung reassured the public that Block 216 Bedok Food Centre & Market is safe for dining, after the hawker centre was identified as a key location linked to several tuberculosis cases.
The centre, along with Heartbeat@Bedok and a Singapore Pools outlet, was linked to 13 TB cases identified between January 2023 and February this year. Genetic analysis found the cases were similar across three clusters.
“Tuberculosis does not get transmitted casually through one, two or even three meetings, or sharing of plates, or shaking of hands. It requires very prolonged close exposure,” Mr Ong said. “Coming to a hawker centre and eating is perfectly safe.”
Authorities have rolled out mandatory TB screening for about 700 tenants and workers at the three locations. Voluntary screening is available for those who spent 96 hours or more at the sites since January 2023. As of Monday, 708 people have been screened.
The Communicable Diseases Agency extended screening at Heartbeat@Bedok by a day, ending May 8, to allow 500 more people to be screened.
Mr Ong noted Singapore has fewer than 1,000 active TB cases this year, calling the infection rate “quite low”. The number of new active cases dropped to 1,019 last year from 1,156 in 2024.
Hawkers reported a 50% to 70% drop in business. Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How said affected hawkers will receive half a month's rental and other charges waived this month.