On the afternoon of the 20th, health officials from Nam-gu Public Health Center are conducting disinfection near the Shincheonji Daegu Church in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. (Source=Yonhap News)
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyo-jin] As fear of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, major banks and financial institutions are on high alert in managing their branches.
NH Nonghyup Bank and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance have closed some branches and office buildings in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas due to confirmed COVID-19 cases among employees, while other institutions are preparing various emergency measures, including potential temporary closures.
According to the financial sector on the 21st, Shinhan Bank distributed a five-stage scenario plan for different situations to all branches nationwide the previous day, enabling immediate response as needed. Additionally, they designated matching nearby branches to minimize operational disruptions in case of branch closures.
Hana Bank also established plans to operate alternative business sites in preparation for branch closures. A Hana Bank official stated, "Considering the spread of COVID-19 in the affected areas, we have prepared multifaceted emergency plans," adding, "We are devising additional measures to protect customers' safety and minimize inconvenience."
Other major banks are also preparing various countermeasures assuming temporary closures. A bank official explained, "Although the number of customers visiting branches has significantly decreased and it is not yet at the stage to decide on closures, we are monitoring the situation with the possibility of closing branches in mind."
Banks are also putting full effort into disinfection work. Shinhan Bank has been conducting sterilization and disinfection at all branches in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions since the previous day. KB Kookmin Bank, Woori Bank, and others have either completed or are in the process of emergency disinfection.
Meanwhile, NH Nonghyup Bank closed the Dalseong-gun branch and the Duryu, Seongdang, and Chilseong-dong branches in Daegu from the 19th to the 20th. The bank explained that this action was taken after a confirmed case was found among employees at the Dalseong-gun branch and another employee who had contact with the confirmed case.
NH Nonghyup Bank also placed 63 employees who had contact with confirmed cases or were at risk of infection under self-quarantine. The bank plans to conduct additional emergency disinfection at all branches in the Daegu area and supply 7,000 masks to the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions.
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance closed its Daegu office and conducted disinfection after an employee tested positive. About 170 employees working at the Daegu office were placed under self-quarantine.
Samsung Life Insurance quarantined all employees of the Daegu Central Regional Office after it was revealed that one employee had contact with a confirmed case.
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