'New Coronavirus Fear'... Four Retailers Suspend Operations Today (Comprehensive)

Three Duty-Free Shops, Two Marts, Two Movie Theaters, Total 7 Locations Closed

Lotte and Shilla Duty-Free Shops Jeju Branches Suspend Operations

An interim closure notice has been installed at the entrance of Shilla Duty Free Seoul Branch, which began temporary closure from the 2nd following confirmation of a visit by the 12th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) continue to surge domestically, retail companies are temporarily closing stores visited by these patients. So far, a total of seven retail locations have closed, including three duty-free shops, two marts, and two movie theaters. As the number of confirmed cases increases in Korea, more facilities are expected to suspend operations.

Lotte Duty-Free Jeju Branch and Shilla Duty-Free Jeju Branch will suspend operations starting from 6 p.m. on the 2nd. Lotte and Shilla Duty-Free announced that according to the announcement by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on the same day at 6 p.m., they confirmed that a confirmed novel coronavirus patient (Chinese national) who returned to Yangzhou, China, had visited the Jeju branch on the 23rd. Accordingly, the duty-free shops are controlling customer entry and facilitating the exit of customers inside the stores according to internal manuals.

After closing the stores, Lotte and Shilla Duty-Free Jeju branches plan to conduct additional disinfection work. The reopening schedule will be decided after consultation with health authorities and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

On the same day, Shilla Duty-Free Seoul Branch located in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, also entered temporary closure. This action was taken after being notified by health authorities that the 12th confirmed domestic novel coronavirus patient A (49 years old) had visited the Seoul Jangchung-dong branch on the 20th and 27th of last month.

Not only duty-free shops but also marts, movie theaters, and restaurants have closed. Emart closed its Bucheon and Gunsan branches. Emart Bucheon branch suspended operations from 3 p.m. on the day after confirming that the 12th and 14th confirmed patients, a married couple, had visited the Bucheon branch on the 30th of last month, following an announcement to customers. The Gunsan branch began closure on the 31st of last month after confirming that the 8th confirmed patient had visited. This patient visited Emart Gunsan branch on the 29th of last month.

Movie theaters CGV Bucheon Station Branch and Sungshin Women's University Branch are currently closed. Bucheon Station Branch closed from the 1st after the 12th confirmed patient visited. Sungshin Women's University Branch also suspended operations on the 31st of last month after the 5th confirmed patient visited.

The retail industry expects that if the novel coronavirus situation prolongs, the impact will be greater than during the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak. This is because fear of the novel coronavirus infection is increasing, causing people to avoid crowded public facilities.

A retail industry official said, "As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus continue to emerge, the number of stores closing may increase," adding, "We will prioritize the safety of customers and employees and make every effort to prevent the spread."