Dongjak-gu Provides Call Van Support for Chinese International Students

Chung-Ang University and Soongsil University Support Call Van Service from Airport to Dormitory for Chinese International Students... Strengthening Management with Installation of 6 Thermal Cameras on Campus

Lee Chang-woo, Mayor of Dongjak District, is discussing emergency measures for international students with officials from Chung-Ang University and Soongsil University on the 25th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Changwoo Lee) has started supporting call van fees for Chinese international students at Chung-Ang University and Soongsil University from the 27th to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections within the region.

Dongjak-gu, the largest university-dense area in the southwest region, has about 5,000 Chinese international students, including 3,448 at Chung-Ang University and 1,459 at Soongsil University.

Accordingly, the district established a hotline with local universities on the 3rd and held a countermeasure meeting between the autonomous district and universities on the 25th to devise protection and support measures for international students throughout the entire process?from the arrival of Chinese students entering the country at the start of the semester to managing those with symptoms.

First, the district is implementing a call van service to minimize the movement of Chinese international students from the airport to their dormitories.

Upon arrival, Chinese international students will be guided by university officials at the airport to use the call van service to move directly to their respective university dormitories (accommodations). The universities will then bill the district for the fees, which the district will cover.

Each university has already notified Chinese international students in advance of the delayed semester start date until March 16, a 14-day suspension of attendance after entry, and changes to academic operations such as remote classes. Additionally, to monitor symptoms daily, each university has selected 1:1 monitoring personnel who conduct health checks twice a day.

The district also provides linked accommodation facilities for international students who have difficulty entering dormitories. The students will practice self-quarantine for 14 days, minimizing outings and contact with others, either in university dormitories or accommodations secured by the district.

Along with this, the district supports the installation of a total of six thermal imaging cameras?two at Chung-Ang University and four at Soongsil University?to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections among Chinese international students within the region.

Changwoo Lee, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “As many international students enter the country, we will cooperate with universities to make every effort to prevent the spread of infections within the region,” adding, “We will prioritize the health and safety of residents until the COVID-19 situation is over.”