On the 7th, disinfection company employees entered the Seoul Lotte Department Store main branch, which temporarily closed after the 23rd domestic confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection visited. (Photo by Yonhap News)
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seung-jin] Temporary closures are increasing due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Although the industry has launched an all-out effort to prevent the spread, some places that had temporarily closed once are shutting down again, deepening the industry's concerns.
According to the industry on the 29th, Seoul Yeouido IFC Mall temporarily closed from 4 p.m. on the 28th after being notified of a confirmed case visit. IFC Mall made this decision after receiving notification from Yeongdeungpo District Office at 2:30 p.m. that an employee of the Korea Export-Import Bank, who tested positive for COVID-19, had visited the mall.
Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch, with annual sales reaching 2 trillion won, also entered a full temporary closure the day before. This was a measure taken after a partner company employee was confirmed positive for COVID-19. Previously, the Gangnam branch had closed its food hall for one day on the 23rd after confirming that a confirmed case had visited the food hall.
The Gangnam branch resumed normal operations on the 29th. Shinsegae Department Store announced, "Thorough disinfection was conducted throughout the entire department store facility, and we received confirmation from related authorities regarding the resumption of normal operations and the comprehensive infection safety of employees."
Lotte Department Store Ilsan Branch also temporarily closed on the 28th. After confirming that a COVID-19 positive individual had visited the Ilsan branch on the 23rd, Lotte Department Store closed urgently from 5:30 p.m. on the same day. On the 27th, Lotte Mall Eunpyeong also closed after confirming a visit by a confirmed case residing in Paju.
Additionally, on the 28th, a female employee working in the clothing section of Emart Cheonan Terminal Branch was confirmed positive for COVID-19, leading to an early closure from 3:30 p.m. and emergency disinfection work. Emart has seen about ten stores nationwide temporarily close or remain closed due to the COVID-19 situation, including the Sinwol branch which temporarily closed the day before after a confirmed case visit.
Such cases of temporary closures at department stores and large supermarkets are rapidly increasing nationwide. However, the only measure the industry can take is to strengthen disinfection efforts.
Lotte Shopping formed a task force (TF) immediately after the first domestic COVID-19 case was confirmed on the 20th of last month to prepare countermeasures. Lotte Shopping established preventive action guidelines corresponding to the infectious disease crisis alert levels 'Interest - Caution - Warning - Serious' and disseminated them to Lotte Department Store and Lotte Mart. They have also conducted drills and exercises according to the response for each situation.
Homeplus has also been preparing countermeasures for over a month. Homeplus subdivided responses into suspected infection visits, confirmed case visits, and confirmed cases among employees or their families. For example, Homeplus Gwangju Gaerim Branch, which temporarily closed on the 21st, was closed due to a suspected infection visit, not a confirmed case, but Homeplus followed its response manual and proceeded with the temporary closure.
Shinsegae Department Store is currently piloting automatic handrail disinfectors on escalators at its main and Gangnam branches. After strengthening disinfection throughout the stores following the COVID-19 outbreak, Shinsegae plans to decide whether to expand installation locations based on the pilot results of the automatic handrail disinfectors.
Local governments have stepped in to help reduce consumer anxiety. Seoul City started certifying 'Clean Zone' marks to confirm safety once disinfection of businesses visited by confirmed COVID-19 cases is completed. The first Clean Zone mark was attached to Emart Gongdeok Branch on the 17th. Subsequently, on the 21st, Clean Zone marks were also attached to Lotte Department Store Main Branch and Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch.
An official from the distribution industry said, "As confirmed cases increase, we are considering situations where places that had temporarily closed once close again, and such cases are actually occurring. We will do our best in disinfection work to minimize customer anxiety."
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