Financial Sector in Turmoil Due to COVID-19 Spread... Branch Closures Continue

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The financial sector is growing increasingly tense as branches are being closed one after another due to the spread of COVID-19.

According to Sh Suhyup Bank on the 22nd, an employee at the Daegu branch was confirmed to have COVID-19 the previous afternoon, leading to a decision to temporarily close the branch. Thorough disinfection was carried out under the supervision of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and employees who were at risk of infection were placed under self-quarantine.

A Suhyup Bank official stated, "If you need to visit the Daegu branch, services can be handled at nearby branches such as the Banwoldang Financial Center within 1 km, the Gyeongbuk Regional Financial Headquarters, and the Seodaegu branch."

Earlier, NH Nonghyup Bank temporarily closed four branches in the Daegu area over two days from the 19th to the 20th. A confirmed case was found among employees at the Dalseong-gun branch, and since there were employees who had close contact with the confirmed case, the branch was closed, 63 employees at risk were self-quarantined, and alternative branches were operated. However, since all contacts tested negative, the four temporarily closed branches in Daegu resumed normal operations from the 24th.

Previously, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance closed its Daegu office on the 20th after an employee was confirmed positive for COVID-19. Samsung Life Insurance placed all employees of the Daegu Central Regional Office under self-quarantine after one employee was found to have had contact with a confirmed case.