On Tuesday (21 Apr), Singapore eliminated bubble tea from the list of essential services as it extended the ‘Circuit Breaker’ to 1 June and tightened measures to allow more workers to stay at home.
The move drew hundreds to bubble tea stores, queuing up in an attempt to get that one last sip of their milk tea with pearls.
However, if you thought that your beloved bubble tea shop will disappear for the next 6 weeks till 1 June, there might be a silver lining.
The closure is actually expected to last “minimally for 2 weeks” from 21 Apr to 4 May inclusive, according to an FAQ on the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s (MTI’s) website for businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This means that bubble tea shops can potentially come back on 5 May — if the situation is deemed stable enough for businesses to reopen, which might be an incentive for us to #StayHome diligently.
Singapore temporarily shut F&B stores that sell mainly beverages and desserts in order to minimise the number of essential services in operation, thereby cutting the number of people needing to leave their homes for work.
Though cafes like Starbucks, which also sell hot mains, are still going strong, many can’t help but feel disappointed by the sudden departure of BBT.
That’s why we’re excited just by the thought of BBT potentially making a comeback to tide us over another month of seclusion, but we shouldn’t get too hopeful just yet.
According to MTI, the multi-ministry taskforce handling the Covid-19 pandemic needs to “monitor the situation closely” before evaluating if the closure of bubble tea stores and other shops needs to be extended.
Here’s a screenshot of what it said on the website:
Hence, BBT stores can reopen only if the Covid-19 situation improves enough for staff to safely go back to work.
As such, boba fans should stay guai and cooperative, and stay home, for a better chance of resuming their BBT worship.
So next time you want to escape home for a gathering with friends, think about the mouth-watering oolong milk tea you have been craving.
Featured image adapted from SG Magazine.
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