Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Establishes Comprehensive Task Force Comprising 5 Teams
Strengthening Disinfection and Quarantine of Passenger Terminals and Railway Vehicles
Mask-Wearing Ordered for Aircraft and Railway Crew, Quarantine Officers
Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' passengers from a flight arriving from Shanghai are undergoing fever screening at Incheon International Airport on the 28th. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] As concerns grow that the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) could spread nationwide, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for domestic transportation, logistics, and aviation sectors, has declared a 'state of emergency.' The Ministry has begun full-scale measures, including instructing its affiliated agencies to strengthen disinfection efforts at transportation facilities nationwide to minimize the possibility of virus transmission.
The Ministry stated on the 28th, "On the 27th, we established and are operating a task force composed of five teams: the General Situation Team, Aviation Team, Railway Team, Public and Freight Transport Team, and Road Team," adding, "We are vigorously promoting continuous disinfection activities and enhancing public awareness campaigns centered on regional task forces at local offices and affiliated agencies."
A Ministry official explained, "As the Ministry of Health and Welfare raised the crisis level from 'caution' to 'alert,' we also formed a comprehensive transportation task force according to our manual," adding, "This is intended to intensify management not only of aviation but also of land transportation."
During the Lunar New Year holiday, the Ministry operated a situation team centered on the Aviation Policy Division, focusing on airport disinfection and interpretation support. However, after the fourth confirmed case was reported the previous day, the Ministry decided to raise the response level further due to the increased likelihood of the novel coronavirus spreading nationwide.
Considering the uncontrollable spread of confirmed cases and deaths from the novel coronavirus in China, it is difficult for South Korea, which currently has four confirmed cases, to remain complacent. If people who came from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, before the city was locked down use buses or trains without precautions, the virus could rapidly spread across the country.
In China, transportation restrictions have already been imposed on some cities, including Wuhan, with many train stations, airports, and roads sealed off. Beijing is conducting temperature checks on all subway passengers, and those not wearing masks are prohibited from using subways and other public transportation.
Taking this into account, the comprehensive transportation task force issued a written directive the previous day to major transportation agencies such as Korea Railroad Corporation, instructing them to "strengthen disinfection activities and public safety awareness campaigns at bus terminals and train stations."
Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' passengers from the Hangzhou flight lined up for fever screening at Incheon International Airport on the 28th. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
At airports, sterilization efforts have been intensified across all areas, including passenger terminals and boarding gates. Disinfection and sanitation have also been carried out for 8,160 railway cars and 420 railway stations. Disinfection measures are ongoing at 150 terminals and 220 rest areas.
Additionally, nationwide railway station electronic signboards, station and vehicle announcements are being used to inform the public about infectious disease prevention guidelines and behavioral protocols. Public awareness campaigns are also being conducted through pop-ups and banner advertisements on various ticketing websites.
Flight attendants, train crew, drivers, quarantine officers, and others who frequently interact with the public have been strongly instructed to wear masks and enhance hygiene management.
The Ministry emphasized, "We plan to thoroughly prevent and manage domestic inflow and secondary infections by expanding hygiene protocols, such as mandatory mask-wearing for flight attendants currently implemented mainly on China routes, to all international routes."
The Ministry is also dedicating efforts to deploying charter flights to bring back South Korean nationals staying in Wuhan, Hubei Province. According to the Korean Consulate General in Wuhan, 693 nationals have expressed their intention to board flights to South Korea.
A charter flight leased by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to be dispatched to Wuhan as early as the 30th. Passengers exhibiting suspicious symptoms such as a fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius, vomiting, coughing, sore throat, or difficulty breathing will not be allowed to board. Additionally, Chinese nationals, including family members of South Korean nationals, are restricted from boarding the charter flight in accordance with Chinese government policies. A Ministry official stated, "The exact schedule will be determined after meetings with relevant government departments."
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