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Singapore health minister urges public not to avoid Bedok Central hawkers after 13 TB infections found

Samira Vishwas | May 5, 2026 7:24 PM CST

“I hope today by me coming here and eating with everybody, we send a clear message to Singaporeans – now is the time to come to Bedok 216 to eat,” he said Tuesday at Block 216 Bedok Food Centre, according to Channel News Asia.

Businesses at Bedok Central have reportedly been affected by as much as 50% after the Communicable Diseases Agency’s (CDA) said on April 30 it had identified 13 tuberculosis cases with genetic similarities linked to three local facilities.

Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung (2nd from L) eats at Bedok 216 Food Centre, Bedok Central, Singapore on May 5, 2026. Photo via Facebook/ongyekung

The cases were discovered between January 2023 and February this year at Bedok 216 Food Centre, Heartbeat@Bedok, and the Singapore Pools Bedok Betting Centre.

Then facilities are located in Bedok Central, a commercial and civic hub of Bedok, a residential town in eastern Singapore.

Several cases showed overlapping activity patterns across the three locations over time, suggesting possible exposure through repeated visits or prolonged contact.

But Ong reiterated that tuberculosis does not spread through casual contact such as brief encounters or handshakes.

“It requires very prolonged close exposure. So, therefore, coming to a hawker centre and eating (here) is perfectly safe,” Ong added.

Singapore Health Minister Ong Ye Kung (2nd from L) speaks to a local hawker at Bedok 216 Food Centre, Bedok Central, Singapore on May 5, 2026. Photo via Facebook/ongyekung

Support for hawkers

Law Minister Edwin Tong, in a Facebook post on Monday, announced that the National Environment Agency will provide a half-month rental rebate for eligible hawkers and merchants for May, according to AsiaOne.

He added that East Coast Town Council will also grant a half-month waiver on service and conservancy charges.

On Monday night, the CDA announced that free tuberculosis screening for tenants, workers and frequent visitors to Bedok Central will be extended by one day to Friday.

The agency said the extension will allow an additional 500 people to be screened, adding that as at 6 p.m. on Monday, a total of 708 people had undergone screening.

The number of new active tuberculosis cases among Singapore residents dropped to 1,019 last year, from 1,156 in 2024.