[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads, credit card companies are also taking measures according to their emergency response plans. It appears that not only are key personnel such as those in IT working in separated shifts, but telecommuting is also being implemented one after another.
According to the credit card industry on the 29th, KB Kookmin Card temporarily closed its Busan branch for three days until March 1st after a family member of an employee at the branch tested positive for COVID-19. Samsung Card closed the 20th floor of its headquarters building (Samsung Main Building) and conducted disinfection after a suspected COVID-19 case was reported among its employees on the 28th.
As COVID-19 cases continue to emerge, credit card companies are actively responding according to their emergency response systems. Hyundai Card and Hyundai Capital have encouraged all employees to work from home until the 11th of next month, with only 50% of the workforce coming to the office. Telecommuting has already been implemented for pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions.
BC Card is also operating by separating key department employees between the Euljiro and Seocho office buildings. Telecommuting is being conducted concurrently for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, key personnel in IT and other major departments, as well as general employees.
Shinhan Card is operating a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) system in response to the COVID-19 crisis. To protect the card payment system, its data centers are operated separately in Jukjeon and Ilsan. Core departments such as finance, settlement, and accounting at headquarters have divided their personnel, and shortened and flexible working hours are being implemented at headquarters and sales bases.
KB Kookmin Card has activated an emergency response committee composed of the CEO and all executives to make decisions and command control related to COVID-19 response. Under the committee, a comprehensive situation team and three subcommittees for planning coordination, sales support, and operations support manage the situation and support emergency tasks. IT personnel have been distributed across three centers.
Lotte Card has been operating with dispersed employees in some departments since the 25th, and employees responsible for debt collection in the Daegu area are currently working from home. Samsung Card is implementing telecommuting for pregnant employees, staggered working hours, mandatory mask-wearing, and temperature checks.
Hana Card has been operating an emergency response team since mid-January, the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, and is preparing for the possibility of headquarters building closure. On the 24th, it completed a mock test of an alternative workplace with minimal personnel selected from all departments. From the 28th, all pregnant employees began telecommuting.
An industry official said, "Each credit card company has an emergency response system and is responding to COVID-19 accordingly," adding, "We are monitoring the spread of COVID-19."
Meanwhile, since the 31st of last month, credit card companies have established an emergency contact network with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), and when a COVID-19 case is confirmed, they provide card payment information to the KCDC to trace the movement of the confirmed patient. In addition, special support such as deferred payment of settlement amounts and marketing support is being provided to merchants and customers affected by COVID-19.
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