Jurong West coffeeshop closed after worker tests positive for Covid-19

Patrons should keep an eye out for SMS alerts from MOH.

Jane Zhang | July 19, 2021, 11:28 AM

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A popular coffeeshop in Jurong West, Xin Fa Li Coffeeshop, has been closed with immediate effect after a worker at the coffeeshop tested positive for Covid-19.

The closure was announced by Jurong GRC Member of Parliament Xie Yao Quan on Monday (Jul. 19) morning.

Closed for deep cleaning and to break potential transmission chains

In his post, Xie stated that the coffeeshop, which is more popularly known as Red Chairs and located at 496 Jurong West Street 41, has been closed with immediate effect for deep cleaning, and to break potential transmission chains.

Stallholders and other workers are isolating at home while awaiting further arrangements.

Xie said that patrons should keep an eye out for SMS alerts from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

He suggested that patrons who are not alerted but who are concerned conduct ART self-testing and see a doctor immediately if they develop symptoms.

"If you have any query at all, please feel free to reach out to me and my team," he added.

"Disheartening news"

"This is disheartening news," Xie wrote.

"Our immediate focus is to support affected stallholders, workers and residents where we can.

But this is also a further reminder, if any is needed, that we need all of us to play our part, and be responsible in our own actions, in order to minimise the chances of a repeat."

He also encouraged all eligible residents — and seniors in particular — who have yet to sign up for vaccination to consider doing so.

"This is to protect yourself and your loved ones, and help put all of us in an ever stronger position of herd resilience, so that eventually, we can look to put disruptions like this behind us."

Covid-19 cases and clusters uncovered at food centres and markets

On Jul. 16, MOH announced that group sizes will be limited to two persons for hawker centres, food courts, and coffee shops as a default.

In the days following, Covid-19 cases and clusters have been uncovered at hawker centres and wet markets, likely seeded by fishmongers and stallholders who visited the Jurong Fishery Port to collect their stock and sell at these markets and food centres, said MOH on Sunday (Jul. 18).

Clusters have been found at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre and Chong Boon Market & Food Centre, both of which have been closed to break the chain of transmission and enable deep cleaning of the premises.

Cases have also been found at Amoy Street Food Centre, Chong Pang Market & Food Centre, and several other markets.

On Sunday (Jul. 18), MOH announced that an additional 42 Covid-19 cases were linked to the Jurong Fishery Port cluster, bringing it to a total of 63 cases.

Additional cases have been detected amongst fishmongers working at Haig Road Market and Cooked Food Centre, Jurong Central Plaza, and Shunfu Mart.

Top photo via Facebook / Xie Yao Quan.