Geylang Serai Market’s Sudden Shutdown: A Short Pause Amid a Festival Rush
What Went Down
Shortly after a flare‑up of COVID‑19 cases, the Geylang Serai Market has been shut down for three days – from Monday, November 1, to Wednesday, November 3. The National Environment Agency (NEA) left fliers at the entrance announcing a “deep cleaning and disinfection” operation, but didn’t explain why the closure was necessary.
Rumor Mill and Confusion
With no official word until NEA officers confirmed it on Sunday morning, whispers started swirling on social media back on Saturday afternoon, October 30. Shopkeepers soon found themselves in a state of déjà vu: “What’s up with the sudden shutdown? Our customers are furious!”
Feels and Fails for Market Stallholders
Third‑generation butcher Mohamad Shahid, 32, shares the everyday reality he and his fellow vendors faced.
- He says the stall line-up for Deepavali (Nov 4) was expected to bring a surge of Hindu customers buying mutton for festive roasts.
- By noon on Sunday, the market was eerily quiet – a stark contrast to the earlier morning rush.
- Many stalls were forced to close temporarily, lowering the town’s collective hopes for a weekend sales boom.
Business Impacts
Shahid notes that while many of his neighbors anticipated an uptick in traffic for the upcoming festival, the sudden shuttering left a gap in the end‑to‑end supply chain for food‑loving shoppers.
Official Response
NEA and the Ministry of Health have reportedly been contacted for more information. The Straits Times remains on standby for any updates.
Bottom Line
It turns out the promise of fresh mutton for Deepavali may wait a couple of days, as the market sits tight for a thorough sanitization sweep. For the vendors and the locals, the closure is a harsh pause, but one that hopefully keeps everyone safe and ready for the eventual feast.
