Al-Azhar Restaurant Closes Tampines Branch To Help Provide Meals For Migrant Workers
UPDATE (23 Apr, 10.20am): A check with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) shows that a food shop at Blk 201D Tampines Street 21, #01-1155, Singapore 524201, which is Al-Azhar’s address, has had its licence suspended under the Points Demerit System.
Reasons for the suspension include failures to:
- Keep premises clean
- Maintain temperature of chiller
- Ensure cleanliness of appliances
Getting 4 demerit points for each offence over a 12-month period, SFA fined the restaurant $900 and suspended its licence from 20 Apr to 3 May.
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Easties who love to have supper with friends would know Al-Azhar Restaurant in Tampines very well.
The variety of dishes across many cuisines would appeal to everybody’s palettes. Open 24/7, it makes for the perfect supper spot.
In an unprecedented move, however, Al-Azhar has closed its Tampines branch from 20 Apr to 3 May. So if you’re thinking of dropping by to dabao food soon, listen up.
Al-Azhar Tampines suspends operations till 3 May
The popular eatery located at 201D Tampines Street 21 announced on Facebook on Sunday (19 Apr) that the restaurant would close from 20 Apr.
While the post specified safety concerns as a reason for the closure, an interview with Berita Mediacorp revealed otherwise.
One of the reasons for the closure is that it will reduce 30% of processing work at their Central Kitchen which can be utilised to prepare meals for foreign workers.
By closing the Tampines branch, Al-Azhar can channel a third of processes at their Central Kitchen towards the project.
The Central Kitchen will be whipping up Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese and vegetarian dishes.
Closure also part of preventive measures
Addressing the Facebook post, Mr Husain clarified that safety precautions are not because any of their workers have tested positive for Covid-19.
Rather, they’re keeping customers’ welfare in mind due to the smaller size of their Tampines outlet. If too many people happen to crowd the space, the risk of infection is much higher.
Loyal customers need not worry though, as Al-Azhar is still running delivery services from its Geylang Serai and Bukit Timah branches.
Here’s how you can go about placing your orders:
Here’s a table of the delivery zones and charges, according to postal codes:
So if you’re craving some naan with butter chicken or mee goreng, you can place your orders at those outlets.
Kudos for helping the community
In a time when many businesses are doing all they can to keep operations going, we applaud Al-Azhar for going the opposite direction to help a community in need.
We’re sure the workers will appreciate the delicious food the restaurant provides and find comfort in them.
For the rest of us, we can continue supporting our local F&B establishments even during the ‘Circuit Breaker’ period, either by packing or ordering food.
Let’s support each other as we get through this difficult time, and emerge stronger once the pandemic blows over.
Featured image adapted from Google Maps.
