Lotte Group Provides 1 Billion KRW to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Priority Support for Severely Affected Daegu and Gyeongbuk Regions
Special Assistance for Welfare Blind Spots Including Children and Elderly
Distribution of Work Guidelines to Group Company Employees

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Lotte Group announced on the 26th that it has decided to provide support totaling 1 billion KRW to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

This support from Lotte is to participate in preventing the spread of infection and restoring damage to local communities following the government's escalation of the crisis alert level to 'serious.' The plan is to prioritize the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, which are experiencing the greatest damage, and expand support areas based on future developments.

Lotte will first actively support children and elderly people facing care gaps and food shortages due to the full closure of welfare facilities. Together with the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation, they plan to provide meals and hygiene products to children isolated at home due to the closure of child welfare facilities.

Additionally, for vulnerable elderly people facing food shortages due to the closure of group meal centers, Lotte will provide meals and hygiene products in cooperation with the Salvation Army Charity Pot Headquarters. Lotte has decided to provide emergency support primarily to the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, where the situation is most severe, and plans to select crisis areas nationwide to provide the same support as care gaps may become prolonged.

Lotte's distribution affiliates will prepare kits consisting of daily necessities such as hygiene products and instant foods and provide them to Daegu through the National Disaster Relief Association. The kits include instant ready-to-eat foods most needed by citizens, such as Lotte Mart's private brand product 'Yorihada,' along with snacks and wet wipes.

Chemical affiliates such as Lotte Chemical will secure and deliver hygiene products like hand sanitizers. Lotte Construction and Lotte Rental will also support bottled water and hygiene products, focusing on areas struggling with shortages of daily necessities.

In addition, Lotte has decided to prioritize loans from the remaining 260 billion KRW of the 955 billion KRW Win-Win Growth Fund to partner companies facing difficulties due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, on the 25th, Lotte designated the 'COVID-19 Response Work Guide' and informed all employees across the group. As the COVID-19 crisis alert level was raised to serious, the work guidelines were issued to prevent office closures and ensure the safety of employees and their families. The main points include ▲encouraging the use of family care leave ▲expanding selective and flexible work ▲remote work for pregnant women and those with underlying conditions ▲prohibition of internal and external group activities ▲temporary suspension of smart office operations.

A Lotte Group official said, "We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and strive to prevent the spread of infection."