'Distribution Sector Panic' Following Confirmed Patient's Movement Path

Tension at GS Home Shopping Despite Normal Attendance
Significant Impact on Commercial Areas Near Lotte Department Store
Restaurants Also Struggling Due to New Coronavirus

On the afternoon of the 9th, the street in front of Lotte Department Store Main Branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, was quiet. The Lotte Department Store Main Branch temporarily closed for three days after a confirmed COVID-19 case visited, and resumed operations on the 10th.

[Asia Economy reporters Choi Saeng-hye, Lee Seung-jin] The fear of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) is weighing heavily on the distribution industry. Despite disinfection efforts, some employees have considered taking vacations or leaves of absence, and the tendency to avoid crowded places has intensified.

On the 9th, we visited the GS Home Shopping headquarters, where the first workplace closure was ordered due to a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus. Although normal attendance resumed from the 8th, the expressions of GS Home Shopping employees still showed tension.

Most employees covered their faces with masks and passed through the thermal imaging camera in the first-floor lobby on their way to work. The 20th confirmed case, an employee at the headquarters, had worked until the 30th of last month, but there were criticisms that the thermal imaging camera failed to detect the fever.

An employee heading to work said, "I know some colleagues are considering taking vacations or leaves of absence," adding, "The atmosphere inside the company is unsettled." Another employee leaving after a broadcast said, "Although thorough disinfection was done, the uneasy feeling cannot be helped," and added, "Only employees involved in the weekend broadcasts came to work, but on Monday, when most employees come in, many will be anxious."

Thermal imaging cameras installed in the lobby on the 1st floor of GS Home Shopping in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 9th. GS Home Shopping closed the workplace from the 6th until 6 a.m. on the 8th due to a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus among its employees.

A notice stating "No entry except authorized personnel" was placed around the building to restrict access to employees only. A GS Home Shopping official explained, "The cafe on the first floor of the lobby has also been closed to prevent the general public from coming," and added, "We will do our best to eliminate employee anxiety through daily thorough disinfection."

That afternoon, in front of the Lotte Department Store main branch in Jung-gu, Seoul, only a notice announcing a temporary closure was posted at the main entrance, and the usual liveliness was nowhere to be seen. The Lotte Department Store main branch closed immediately upon confirmation that the 23rd confirmed case had visited on the 7th and resumed operations on the 10th. On that day, in front of the Lotte Department Store main branch, except for some tourists carefully reading the notice unaware of the closure, there was no foot traffic at all.

The nearby commercial district is also suffering. A street vendor in Myeongdong lamented, "Tourists have decreased due to the novel coronavirus, and with the Lotte Department Store, a must-visit spot for tourists, also closed, foot traffic has completely stopped."

Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection, half of the national airline routes between Korea and China have been suspended, and the suspension is expanding to flights to Hong Kong and Macao. According to the aviation industry, Jeju Air has decided to temporarily suspend its Incheon-Macao route starting from the 7th. Additionally, the Jeju-Hong Kong route will also be suspended from the 19th of this month. Other LCCs such as Jin Air and Air Busan are also expanding the suspension of routes to Chinese-speaking regions outside mainland China. The photo shows the quiet low-cost carrier check-in counters at Incheon International Airport on the 6th.
Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Yeongjongdo kimhyun81@

Restaurants are also distressed. Especially buffets where many gather and airport food and beverage establishments frequented by international tourists have seen noticeable drops in customer numbers and sales. At The Plaza Hotel by Hanwha Hotels & Resorts, the number of buffet customers decreased by about 10-15% after the novel coronavirus issue. Le M?ridien Seoul's buffet Chef's Palette, which was visited by the 19th confirmed case, even had to close on the 6th and 7th, suffering a blow to sales.

According to companies operating food and beverage businesses at Incheon Airport Terminals 1 and 2, customer numbers have decreased by about 10%, and sales have dropped by up to 30% since the novel coronavirus outbreak.