"Why Not Work From Home?" COVID-19 Spread Amplifies Anxiety Among Office Workers

As of the previous day (24th), a total of 833 COVID-19 confirmed cases
Ministry of Employment and Labor urges active use of flexible work arrangements such as remote and telecommuting
Experts recommend minimizing outings and encourage telecommuting

On the 24th, citizens wearing masks for reasons such as COVID-19 prevention are commuting at the crosswalk of Gwanghwamun Station intersection in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] "Isn't this like locking the barn after the horse has bolted?"

A(28), an office worker who commutes to Gangnam-gu, Seoul, said, "With COVID-19 spreading nationwide, shouldn't telecommuting measures be implemented before it's too late?"

A said, "While there is concern about transmission among colleagues at work, I believe the biggest issue is the commute. Even if it has been okay so far, taking the subway and bus transfers means you never know when or where you might encounter an infected person," she lamented.

She continued, "Even if not all industries, the government should take measures to allow telecommuting for sectors where it is possible," she appealed.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the previous day (24th), 231 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed domestically, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 833. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported that 70 additional cases were confirmed in the afternoon of the same day.

Given this situation, citizens have expressed concerns about infection, and some argue that telecommuting and flexible work arrangements should be introduced. The reason is that minimizing contact with others is crucial to preventing the spread of infection.

On the 24th, citizens wearing masks for reasons such as COVID-19 prevention are commuting at the crosswalk of Gwanghwamun Station intersection in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, some domestic and overseas companies have reportedly started telecommuting to prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to industry sources, Korean branches of major IT companies such as Intel have encouraged employees to work from home.

SK Innovation and SK Telecom have adjusted their commuting hours to after 10 a.m., while Naver and Kakao are implementing telecommuting for certain employees, such as pregnant women.

In China, a significant number of companies have also adopted telecommuting. According to a survey by market research firm Dataway reported by local media China Daily on the 12th, more than half of office workers in Beijing said they work from home. 16.7% of respondents said that a flexible work system had been introduced.

On the 24th, Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, recommended actively utilizing flexible work arrangements to prevent the community spread of COVID-19 at a COVID-19 Employment and Labor Countermeasures Meeting held at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Minister Lee said, "To reduce the possibility of COVID-19 spreading due to concentrated infections during commuting hours, please actively use flexible work arrangements," and urged, "Private companies should also utilize flexible work systems such as staggered commuting hours, staggered lunch and break times, remote work, and telecommuting."

Experts have advised refraining from going out as much as possible and reducing social activities and interpersonal contact through telecommuting.

Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 24th and said, "Movement restrictions come first. It is important to limit religious and social gatherings and minimize social activities and personal contact."

Professor Eom added, "There needs to be social consideration that recognizes telecommuting or special sick leave even if respiratory symptoms occur without officially taking sick leave," and urged, "Individuals with respiratory symptoms or fever should not visit hospitals immediately but rest sufficiently at home for 3 to 4 days. If symptoms do not improve, they should contact 1339 or a public health center for management."