Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch Closes Entire Premises on 28th Due to Confirmed COVID-19 Case (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch announced that it will temporarily close the entire building on the 28th after a partner employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Shinsegae Department Store explained, "The partner employee last worked on February 24, has been on personal leave since then, and has not come to work. After notifying the company on the morning of the 27th that they had contact with a confirmed case, the employee is currently in self-quarantine."

They added, "Although the health authorities stated that the February 24 workday is not subject to epidemiological investigation, Shinsegae decided to close the Gangnam branch today for the safety of customers and employees and is continuing thorough disinfection."

The partner employee who tested positive for COVID-19 was known to have worked in the men's and sports section on the 7th floor.

Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch plans to conduct disinfection and sanitation of the entire facility on the day of closure and resume normal operations from the 29th.

Meanwhile, this is the fifth time Shinsegae Department Store has closed temporarily.

In the case of the Gangnam branch, it had previously closed the food hall for one day on the 23rd after confirming that a confirmed case had visited the food hall.

The Daegu branch closed early on the 25th and the entire building on the 26th after a partner company employee tested positive. The Gimhae branch also temporarily closed the entire building on the 27th after a partner employee tested positive.

The Gyeonggi branch confirmed on the 27th that a confirmed case had visited the 6th floor children’s and sports sections, closed early that day, and temporarily closed the 6th floor stores on the 28th.