June 08, 2021, 03:52 PM
During this Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) period, many old timer hawkers who are digitally disadvantaged have seen business plummet as they do not know how to utilise and maximise food delivery apps to boost takeaway sales.
As footfall declined due to dining-in restrictions, some of these hawkers have to sit out because operating the business will not cover costs, or continue to operate and hope for the best.
Hawker business down
One such hawker, who was photographed at Amoy Street Food Centre in the Central Business District waiting for takeaway orders to come in, cut a sad figure as the office crowd dwindled with work from home arrangements as the default.
The photo was put up on Monday, June 7 on the Hawkers United - Dabao 2020 Facebook group, alongside an appeal to patronise his stall.
The appeal read: "Guys, do support if you’re around the area as I can tell this old uncle is suffering greatly during this Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) and with minimal technology knowledge, he's not listed on delivery apps."
Queue formed next day
The photo of the elderly hawker, who sells the famous fried kway teow at the first corner stall at the hawker centre sitting by himself, worked.
Within a day, it spurred the masses to drop by to show their support.
On June 8, a photo put up on Facebook by a hawker centre patron showed a long queue waiting to order the fried kway teow.
Famous fried kway teow
The hawker is known for his fried kway teow, which he has been selling since the 1960s.
One patron wrote that she remembers buying the fried kway teow in the 1970s for 20 cents a packet, and even bringing her own egg then for the hawker to fry.
If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram to get the latest updates.