Banking Sector Activates Emergency Response for 'Wuhan Pneumonia'... "Masks Provided to Customers" (Comprehensive)

All Employees Required to Wear Masks
Thermometers and Hand Sanitizers Provided
Preventive Measures Informed to Customers

On the 28th, as fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads, fever screening is being conducted for hospital visitors at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang, Seongnam aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] As concerns over the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) spread, major commercial banks have taken emergency measures, such as instructing all employees to wear masks. This is a proactive response due to increased concerns about secondary and tertiary infections, given the nature of bank branches frequently visited by an unspecified large number of customers.

According to the banking sector on the 28th, KEB Hana Bank held an emergency response committee meeting chaired by Hana Bank CEO Ji Sung-kyu that morning and raised its internal crisis response level to ‘Alert.’ This action follows the national infectious disease crisis response level being raised to ‘Alert’ due to the novel coronavirus.

Hana Bank’s crisis response levels consist of four stages: Interest (Blue), Caution (Yellow), Alert (Orange), and Serious (Red).

To prevent infections among customers visiting bank branches, Hana Bank decided to provide hand sanitizers and non-contact thermometers at all branches. They also plan to provide guidance on infection prevention measures.

Additionally, mask-wearing will be mandatory for all branch employees, and emergency measures such as self-quarantine will be implemented if employees or their cohabiting family members are suspected or confirmed to be infected.

CEO Ji said, “In a situation where the spread of the novel coronavirus is a concern, we will do our best to ensure the safety of domestic and overseas customers visiting bank branches and to maintain continuous financial transactions through proactive measures.”

Hana Bank plans to send masks and hand sanitizers to its China branch within the day. The China branch is currently implementing stage 2 of its five-stage crisis response plan, which involves establishing an emergency management plan, and is reportedly considering raising it to stage 3. If the response level rises to stage 3, it will declare a state of emergency, operate crisis and emergency work organizations, and prepare alternative business sites. Despite the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period (from the 24th of last month to the 2nd of next month), the branch reportedly checks twice daily, morning and afternoon, for any outbreak occurrences.

The China branch operates a total of 26 branches (1 head office sales department, 12 regional base branches, and 13 general branches) with 870 employees, including 33 Korean expatriates. There are no branches in Hubei Province, where Wuhan City is located.

On the 28th, as fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads, office workers are seen wearing masks on their way to work at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

KB Kookmin Bank has established and is operating an emergency response committee and a comprehensive situation room, instructing all branch employees to wear masks. Masks will also be provided to visiting customers.

Hand sanitizers have been placed in branches, and customers are being informed about preventive measures. In particular, branches near airports or currency exchange centers, where foreign tourists may gather, have been instructed to strengthen vigilance.

A notice email has already been sent to all employees advising them to refrain from group activities.

Additionally, emergency inspection meetings are being held at overseas branches, and emergency communication systems are being activated. Visits to areas near Wuhan City are prohibited, and participation in events in other regions is being discouraged. Kookmin Bank operates one local corporation in China and five regional branches in Beijing, Guangzhou, Harbin, Suzhou, and Shanghai.

A Kookmin Bank official said, “Since there are no branches in the Wuhan area, the risk is expected to be low,” but added, “We will continue to monitor the infection status of Korean expatriates and their families, as well as assess and monitor the market impact caused by the novel coronavirus.”

Earlier, Shinhan Bank sent an official letter to all branches nationwide on the 23rd, before the Lunar New Year holiday, informing them about the current damage status and response measures regarding the novel coronavirus.

A Shinhan Bank official stated, “Especially for branches located in airports and hospitals, employees are allowed to wear masks at their discretion.” Employees at general branches are also permitted to wear masks while working if necessary.

Furthermore, Shinhan Bank installed a thermal detection camera in the lobby of its Taepyeongno head office in Jung-gu, Seoul. Since fever is one of the symptoms of the novel coronavirus, employees with high temperatures are restricted from entering the head office.

Other banks are also reportedly considering measures such as requiring counter staff to wear masks and installing thermal detectors and hand sanitizers in branches.