Distribution Industry Hit Hard by COVID-19... Continuing Win-Win Efforts with Quarantine Support and Donations

Lotte World Tower employees visited a traditional market in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 14th to carry out disinfection work. (Photo by Lotte Property & Development)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] The distribution industry continues to extend helping hands to support local communities affected by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Although the industry was directly hit with temporary store closures due to visits by confirmed COVID-19 patients, it has actively stepped up to coexist with local communities.

According to the distribution industry on the 15th, specialized personnel responsible for disinfecting Lotte World Tower and Lotte employees supported two traditional markets (Macheon Market and Macheon Central Market) in Songpa-gu, Seoul, the day before.

The visiting staff delivered about 3,000 masks and Korean-English 'COVID-19' prevention posters, which were held for disinfecting Lotte World Tower, to the traditional markets where it was difficult to procure disinfectants and sanitizers. The employees in charge of disinfecting Lotte World Tower also carried out disinfection work for about 210 stores and main routes over six hours.

Homeplus provided supplies on the 11th to medical staff treating COVID-19 patients and support personnel engaged in disinfection activities.

The supported institutions include seven locations: Incheon Medical Center (Dong-gu, Incheon), National Medical Center (Jung-gu, Seoul), Myongji Hospital (Goyang-si, Gyeonggi), Seoul Medical Center (Jungnang-gu, Seoul), Wonkwang University Hospital (Iksan-si, Jeonbuk), Armed Forces Capital Hospital (Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi), and Gwangsan District Office (Gwangju Metropolitan City, disinfection support).

BGF Retail provided relief supplies on the 12th via a chartered flight for overseas Koreans such as residents and international students returning from Wuhan (武漢), China, and their Chinese families.

Donations are also continuing. Lotte Duty Free donated 300 million KRW to support Koreans in Wuhan and the Chinese local community. The donation was delivered to the Korean Red Cross and will be used to provide relief supplies to the Korean residents in Wuhan and the Chinese local community.

Lotte Duty Free's Myeongdong main store temporarily closed for three days from the 7th to the 9th after a confirmed patient visited. Prior to that, the Jeju branch also temporarily closed after confirmed patients visited on the 2nd and 3rd. Despite significant sales impacts due to COVID-19, they proceeded with donations.

Meanwhile, the distribution industry is making every effort to prevent additional confirmed cases through disinfection. On the 14th, Homeplus conducted emergency disinfection at 99 stores and 3 fulfillment centers.

CJ Olive Young carried out disinfection work on the 11th at five major stores in the Myeongdong commercial area, including the Myeongdong flagship store before opening, Sogong branch, Myeongdong Central branch, Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station branch, and Myeongdong Station branch.

Earlier, on the 10th, most department stores nationwide closed for the day to conduct their own disinfection. Usually, department stores close about once a month, but when the Lunar New Year holiday overlaps and there are many days off, they operate without breaks. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, they unusually closed separately that day to carry out disinfection.

A distribution industry official said, "Although there has been a slight lull with no additional confirmed cases for five consecutive days, we will make every effort in disinfection until the government's official announcement is made," adding, "We also plan to continuously seek ways to coexist with local communities."