Seongdong-gu Provides 274,620 Masks to Preschool Children and Seniors Aged 65 and Over

Distribution of National Safety Linen Masks to All Residents, Can Be Collected at Dong Community Center with ID

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) has initiated mask support for mask-vulnerable groups who find it difficult to purchase public masks, including preschool children and seniors aged 65 and over.

Although masks are currently supplied through public sales outlets under a 5-day rotation system, young children and elderly seniors with mobility difficulties still face challenges purchasing masks due to irregular sales hours and long waiting times.

Accordingly, from April 3 to 5, the district will distribute a total of 274,620 masks, five per person, to 13,172 preschool children and 41,752 seniors aged 65 and over who are health-vulnerable. The masks distributed include two KF94 health masks and three dental masks for droplet protection. Community leaders and the ‘COVID-19 Overcome Volunteer Corps’ will personally visit each neighborhood to deliver the masks.

Over 30 volunteers who voluntarily gathered to overcome COVID-19 in the region and about 60 members of the Women’s Federation participated in this free mask distribution. On April 1 and 2, they reclassified and packaged approximately 270,000 masks in the large auditorium on the third floor of Seongdong-gu Office, ensuring each person receives five masks. In line with the high-intensity social distancing campaign, the district paid close attention to maintaining distance among volunteers, conducting temperature checks for all entrants to the workspace, and enforcing strict quarantine and hygiene management, including wearing masks and gloves.

Additionally, from April 6 to 20, the district will distribute one set of ‘National Safe Cotton Masks’ to all residents who wish to receive them. Each set consists of one cotton mask and four replacement filters. Residents can visit their local community service center with their ID, and one set will be provided once per household representative according to the number of household members.

This cotton mask distribution aligns with Seongdong-gu’s ‘I’m Okay, You First’ mask concession campaign, encouraging healthy general residents to wear cotton masks while reserving KF94 health masks for medical staff, disabled persons, the elderly, and others who need them most on the front lines of quarantine.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Although everyone is facing difficult times, care and sharing for socially vulnerable groups are especially important. While not sufficient, this mask distribution for seniors and children who have difficulty securing masks will ensure there are no blind spots in COVID-19 quarantine efforts.”