Singapore Opens More Hawker & Coffee Shops to Vaccinated Diners
Buzzing Benches for the Banter‑Briefed
Because the “two‑people‑only” rule is finally feeling a little cramped, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) have decided to let a few more hungry souls mingle in their favourite hawker corners and coffee spots. If you’re fully vaccinated—or in the special clubs of kids under 12 or people who’ve already picked up the Covid‑19 buff—get ready to enjoy a full group of five at dedicated locations.
What’s New in the Nook‑Nook Network?
- Another hawker centre and 10 coffee shops have opened up for groups of up to five vaccinated people to dine in.
- By Monday, 29 November, 20 more hawker centres will add the same relaxed policy, complete with entrance and vaccination checks.
- These moves come as NEA and SFA slowly spread out a “vaccination‑friendly” framework across food establishments.
Senior Minister Amy Khor’s Handy Updates
- On Thursday, Amy Khor posted on Facebook that 17 coffee shops can now host group‑of‑five meals for the fully vaccinated.
- She highlighted the Block 137 Tampines Street 11 hawker centre as another spot to watch out for.
- During this week’s visits—including Bedok Food Centre and Qi Xiang coffee shop on Upper Serangoon Road—she noted that the vaccination checks run smoothly, with patrons proudly flashing their vaccination status at the gate.
- She reaffirmed her commitment to bring the remaining hawker centres on board “by the end of November,” and to encourage more coffee shop operators to get the required measures in place.
How It Works on the Ground
At the entrance, operators are expected to:
- Stamp a distinctive vaccination sticker on the backs of fully vaccinated diners (and kids 12 or younger or those who’ve recovered from Covid‑19).
- Only allow those with the sticker to dine inside; folks without it can still grab takeaway.
- Use dedicated entry points with an eye on vaccination records, ensuring a clear line between the fully vaccinated and the rest.
The New Coffee‑Doers in Town
Here’s the latest roster of coffee shops that can host a full five‑person crew:
- Chuan Kee F&B at 1091A Lower Delta Road
- Hunger House on 9 Tagore Lane
- Koufu at 662D Punggol Central
- Brunners Coffeeshop on 228 East Coast Road
- Tong Kian Eating House on 37 Teban Gardens Road
- Saffrons on 201D Tampines Street 21
- Hoki 150 on Block 150 Bishan Street 11
- Kian Seng Seafood Restaurant at 4013 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 1
- Bangkok Street Mookata on Block 421 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10
- Chilli Padi Nonya Catering on 2 Changi Business Park Crescent
All‑It’s Not Just About the Food
Fast‑tracking these relaxed rules is a part of the city’s big effort to “ease the pullback” that had turned hawker centres into sparsely packed patios. The measures are keeping the heart of Singapore’s culinary culture alive, letting friends, families, and fellow foodies share a space as long as they’ve grown the right vaccine.
So grab your friends, flash those stickers, and head for a communal bowl—because the noodles, per the reason you might call “sharing is caring” and a strong societal pull, are everything you want to do now. Happy dining!
