Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, "Temporary Suspension of Public Institution Passenger Car Day-of-Week Operation"

In Response to COVID-19... Nationwide Public Institutions Urged to Participate

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 25th that it will temporarily suspend the currently implemented 'Public Institution Passenger Car Day System' from the 26th until the end of the COVID-19 situation to actively respond to the community spread of coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The ministry urged other public institutions to join this effort.

The ministry explained, "Following the escalation of the domestic COVID-19 response crisis alert level from 'Caution' to 'Serious' on the 23rd, we decided on this temporary suspension based on the judgment that a strong response not bound by existing regulations is necessary."

The Passenger Car Day System is implemented nationwide for a total of 1,006 public institutions (based on headquarters as of the end of 2019) regarding official vehicles and vehicles of public institution employees, based on the Ministry's notice titled 'Regulations on the Promotion of Rational Energy Use in Public Institutions.' However, concerns were raised that this system forces employees to use crowded public transportation for commuting, increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection.

The ministry added, "This decision is an extraordinary measure to minimize personal contact during commuting, suppress virus spread, and perform the rapid and effective public functions required of the government in the current crisis situation."

The ministry emphasized, "To overcome the severe current situation related to COVID-19, active response and preventive activities by all public institutions are urgently required," and urged, "We ask all public institutions nationwide to actively participate in the temporary suspension of the 'Passenger Car Day System.'"