Songpa-gu, Traditional Markets Intensify Disinfection Efforts to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

Special Disinfection of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts from the 24th to 26th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is making every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by conducting disinfection in traditional markets and shopping districts within the area.

This is to alleviate residents' anxiety caused by the recent community transmission of COVID-19 and to minimize the damage suffered by merchants struggling with the shrinking local economy.

Starting with disinfection around Macheon Market and Macheon Central Market on the 14th in cooperation with Lotte Corporation, from the 24th to the 26th, disinfection will be carried out at four traditional markets in the district?Bang-i Market, Pungnap Market, Saemaeul Market, Seokchon Market?as well as the Rodeo Street shopping district in Munjeong-dong.

A professional disinfection company will visit approximately 1,000 individual stores to thoroughly disinfect them.

So far, the district has conducted on-site inspections of traditional markets and shopping districts, distributed infection prevention guideline notices to merchants and customers, and provided disinfection supplies including 5,210 masks and 357 hand sanitizers.

The district plans to continuously monitor the COVID-19 situation and provide an additional 10,000 masks and disinfection services to traditional markets.

Songpa-gu aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while minimizing damage to the weakened local economy and commercial districts.

To this end, using the ‘Visiting Small Business Hope Planner,’ the district will assess the damage to small business owners in the area, including traditional markets, and provide detailed guidance on financial support measures such as loan assistance, special credit guarantee recommendations, and special funds for traditional markets.

Additionally, parking enforcement around Macheon Market, Bang-i Market, and Saemaeul Market will be temporarily suspended during lunch hours (11:30 AM to 2:30 PM) and evening hours (6 PM to 10 PM).

Earlier on the 12th, in response to the contraction of consumer sentiment and economic downturn caused by the spread of COVID-19, the district formed a ‘Local Economy Support Task Force’ and announced plans to promptly execute 100 billion KRW of local government funds. The task force is operating with response measures in five areas: △job and business support △small business support and fair economy △rapid public finance execution △tax support △local tourism.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “We will comprehensively address everything from thorough disinfection to economic support to protect the safe daily lives of residents,” and added, “We will mobilize all available resources to respond until the situation is completely resolved.”