Gwanak-gu Focuses on Managing Restaurants, Lodging Businesses, and Traditional Markets to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

Distribution of Sanitizers and Quarantine Supplies at Large and Model Restaurants, Promotion of Compliance Guidelines for Operators... Investigation of Chinese Travel History of Guests and Staff at Lodging Facilities and Bathhouses, Guidance on Infectious Disease Response Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Jun-hee) is making every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections, focusing on daily life sites closely related to residents such as dining establishments, lodging facilities, traditional markets, and public bathhouses.

In early February, at the initial stage of COVID-19 infection occurrence, the district conducted an emergency full inspection of 163 lodging facilities, identifying guests who had visited China and checking for fever and respiratory symptoms. They distributed quarantine supplies such as hand sanitizers and masks and provided guidance on infection prevention measures.

Subsequently, the district provided guidance on improving food culture to block the transmission of infectious diseases to 191 large restaurants and model restaurants in the area, as well as 306 restaurants and food sales businesses in traditional markets densely populated by foreigners. The guidance included maintaining hygiene and cleanliness, wearing sanitary masks and caps during cooking, providing individual plates, and prohibiting the reuse of leftover food. Quarantine supplies were also distributed.

Additionally, COVID-19 prevention promotional activities were carried out targeting Chinese grocery stores and medium to large supermarkets frequented by foreigners. These activities included inspections for illegal imported foods and illegal wildlife sales, distribution of quarantine supplies, and posting of prevention guideline posters.

Moreover, amid public anxiety following the revelation that confirmed patients from other regions used public bathhouses, Gwanak-gu conducted emergency on-site inspections of 33 public bathhouse businesses in the district.

They investigated whether employees had visited China, provided guidance on infection prevention measures and how to respond to visitors with fever or respiratory symptoms, and plan to maintain an organic communication system and strengthen monitoring until the situation is resolved.

District Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, “Due to the occurrence of COVID-19, residents have great concerns and anxiety about their food and leisure. We will be even more thorough in hygiene management of food service and public hygiene businesses.”