[Interview] Ryoo Kyung-gi, Jungnang-gu Mayor: "Let's Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis Together"

District Chief Ryu: "While quarantine is important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, it is equally crucial to strictly adhere to daily life rules such as handwashing. We will continue to promote preventive daily life guidelines alongside thorough quarantine activities to protect residents' health from infectious diseases."... "If a flawless quarantine system operates and strict personal hygiene is maintained, we can overcome COVID-19," he stated.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] "It has been about a month since the outbreak of COVID-19, but the situation remains severe. Some people may feel anxious knowing that confirmed cases have occurred in Jungnang-gu and that patients are being treated at Seoul Medical Center. The negative pressure isolation ward at Seoul Medical Center is housed in a building separate from the main building and is equipped with state-of-the-art negative pressure facilities, so there is absolutely no risk of COVID-19 spreading outside. Rather than feeling anxious, it is a time when wise cooperation and collective strength are needed to overcome the current crisis."

Ryu Kyung-gi, the mayor of Jungnang-gu, emphasized this during an interview with Asia Economy, stating that the tension over COVID-19 has not yet been relaxed.

Mayor Ryu said, "We promise to transparently disclose information related to COVID-19 and to work together with the residents. Lastly, I urge everyone to thoroughly follow the 'Wash, Cover, Contact' rule to protect themselves and others."

In particular, as second and third infection cases continue to emerge, raising concerns about community transmission, we asked about Jungnang-gu’s response to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), where the fifth confirmed case was reported.

- Many people are anxious due to COVID-19. Could you first tell us about the current status of Jungnang-gu’s quarantine activities?

▲ Since the fifth confirmed case on January 30, there have been no additional confirmed cases in the district, and there are currently four people under self-quarantine. We are doing our best to prevent COVID-19 infection through systematic and calm responses to the infectious disease and by operating a preemptive and strengthened emergency quarantine system.

First, on January 27, when the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the infectious disease crisis alert level from 'Caution' to 'Warning,' we formed and operated a Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters composed of nine teams, including an epidemiological investigation team and a livelihood stability support team, with the mayor as the head. This launched an emergency monitoring system to prevent the spread of the infectious disease.

Also, to enable rapid response such as epidemiological investigations when suspected cases occur, a screening clinic equipped with negative pressure facilities was installed outside the first floor of the public health center and operates 24 hours a day. A separate screening clinic information booth was set up at the entrance of the district office to preemptively block contact with those visiting the health center due to COVID-19.

Along with this, hand sanitizers and masks were provided at multi-use facilities frequently visited by residents, such as libraries and public institutions. Events with large gatherings, such as Friday music concerts and Jungnang Masil, were canceled or rescheduled in advance to ensure residents’ safety.

In particular, the emergency quarantine team was vigorously deployed to disinfect 1,180 multi-use facilities, including senior centers, daycare centers, kindergartens?where relatively vulnerable residents mainly use?as well as bus garages and youth facilities. They paid close attention to disinfecting handrails and door handles, which are frequently touched but easily overlooked.

Moreover, private organizations such as the Saemaul Leaders Association contributed their efforts, overcoming administrative limitations with systematic quarantine activities to respond to local spread.

While quarantine is important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, it is also crucial to strictly adhere to lifestyle rules such as handwashing. Going forward, our district will continue to combine thorough quarantine activities with promotion of preventive lifestyle rules to protect residents’ health from infectious diseases.

- You emphasized lifestyle rules, and in Jungnang-gu, there are many promotional materials such as banners related to COVID-19. Is the slogan ‘Wash, Cover, Contact’ something you created yourselves?

▲ Yes. As I mentioned earlier, while quarantine is important to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, adherence to preventive rules must become a daily habit. Everyone knows about handwashing and cough etiquette, but these are easily forgotten in daily life.

We considered this point. To help people quickly and easily remember and practice these habits in daily life, we chose the slogan ‘Wash, Cover, Contact,’ which highlights the key actions of washing hands, covering with a mask, and contacting health authorities. We use this slogan in posters, banners, and social media promotions. The response has been better than expected, and inquiries about using the slogan have come from other regions such as Seoul, Seongnam, and Daegu.

We hope that when residents think of COVID-19, ‘Ah! Wash, Cover, Contact!’ will come to mind first.

Separately from creating the slogan, we compiled frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and posted a Q&A on the district office website. Through temporary community leader meetings, we focused on delivering accurate information to preemptively block fake news and alleviate anxiety.

- You mentioned that private organizations’ participation enables large-scale quarantine activities. Are there other activities besides quarantine in which the private sector participates?

▲ Safety requires measures that might seem excessive. However, safety cannot be fully achieved by administrative efforts alone. Especially to ensure that all residents can live with peace of mind, participation, communication, and governance are essential. Therefore, on February 11, about 60 people from major hospitals such as Green Hospital, Seoul Medical Center, Dongbu Jeil Hospital, private organizations like the Barugesalgi Movement, Saemaul Leaders Association, various daycare center associations, and related institutions such as the police and fire stations gathered to share information about the infectious disease and discuss future measures.

At this meeting, they shared best practices such as donations of quarantine supplies and implementation of quarantine activities, and requested expansion of private sector activities to prevent the spread of fake news. They promised to work together to alleviate residents’ anxiety and stabilize the community. Going forward, the public and private sectors will continue to do their best to create a healthy Jungnang by promptly reflecting residents’ opinions and taking bold actions for safety.

- I understand that self-quarantined individuals have restricted freedom. What are your thoughts on measures for these people?

▲ That’s right. These individuals can also be considered victims of COVID-19. The fear and frustration they experience during the 14-day period cannot be expressed by any words of comfort.

The district calls self-quarantined individuals twice daily by phone to check on their well-being and ask if they need anything, providing daily necessities such as rice, water, and side dishes. We also supply quarantine items like hand sanitizers and connect them with counselors at the Mental Health Support Center’s counseling office to empathize with and comfort their anxiety, frustration, and fear during the quarantine period.

Additionally, on the seventh day after quarantine ends, a specialist calls them to check their health again, though this is insignificant compared to the discomfort they have endured.

Recently, I personally called someone whose self-quarantine was lifted to thank them for enduring the inconveniences of daily life and cooperating actively, and to congratulate them on returning to normal life.

One family member of a confirmed case apologized for causing trouble in the community, but self-quarantine can happen to anyone. Now more than ever, careful consideration and actions toward each other are important. I believe mature civic consciousness that understands we can overcome this together is needed.

- The local economy is suffering greatly due to COVID-19. Jungnang-gu is no exception. What efforts are being made to revitalize the local economy?

▲ On February 14, I visited Dongwon Traditional Market and asked merchants how things are going, and they said it’s tough. Our district’s representative industry, the garment industry, is also facing difficulties such as disruptions in fabric supply and sharp declines in sales due to COVID-19.

It is still too early to feel safe about COVID-19, but there is no need for excessive fear that shrinks daily life. I believe that while following lifestyle rules and maintaining hygiene, economic activities must continue.

To this end, the district has formed a Regional Economic Emergency Response Team to maintain a rapid response system for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners. This team operates support for small business owners, price and distribution management, damage assessment and field opinion collection, and a dedicated consultation desk. Furthermore, emergency funds for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners have been significantly increased from 1.4 billion KRW to 2.2 billion KRW to alleviate financial difficulties.

Revitalizing traditional markets is essential to invigorate the local commercial district. Due to the infectious disease, people avoid crowded places, and currently, the number of visitors and sales at traditional markets in our district have dropped by more than 40%. To overcome this, we provide quarantine supplies such as masks and hand sanitizers, conduct disinfection activities in public facilities like restrooms and inside stores, and have expanded traditional market shopping events, which were previously held only during holidays like Lunar New Year and Chuseok, to once a month to actively encourage market use.

As long as we accurately assess the situation, operate a flawless quarantine system, and strictly maintain personal hygiene, we can overcome COVID-19.

I believe that public officials exist to protect the health and safety of residents. Our district will prioritize residents’ safety and health and actively respond to the current situation.