Twelve hawker centers in Singapore will close for cleaning this month. Each one will shut for one to four days, starting from October 1. The National Environment Agency carries out this cleaning regularly. It wants people to enjoy cheap food in a clean place. The list includes popular spots such as Serangoon Garden Market.
Hawker centers are an important part of Singaporean culture. They are large, often open-air buildings with many food stalls. The stalls sell local and international dishes at low prices. Singapore has 123 markets and hawker centers. Some tourists say eating there is very safe. They point to strict rules, regular checks, and required hygiene ratings.