Support of up to 1 Million KRW for Second Closure Assistance During 2-Week Shutdown for 1,058 Multi-Use Facilities
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) will provide a second round of additional support funds to multi-use facilities that voluntarily suspended operations in response to the extension of the second phase of social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These facilities include PC rooms, karaoke rooms, indoor sports facilities, clubs, and colatecs.
This decision follows the government's announcement on the 4th to extend the 'strengthened social distancing' for two more weeks until the 19th. The district immediately decided to provide additional closure support funds and will encourage all businesses to participate in the closure.
Businesses that voluntarily closed during the extended second recommended business suspension period (April 6 to April 19) will receive closure support funds of up to 1 million KRW, depending on the number of closure days.
Considering the extension of social distancing, the district was able to make an immediate extension decision through meticulous preparation, including securing the budget in advance. Public officials will individually visit all registered and permitted multi-use facilities in the area to guide them through the application process and encourage participation in the closure.
This is not the first time the district has supported businesses participating in closures. During the first phase of social distancing, Seocho-gu was the 'first local government' to provide closure support funds to multi-use facilities within the district.
Out of a total of 1,058 facilities, including 63 PC rooms, 261 karaoke rooms, 169 entertainment and Danran bars, and 565 indoor sports facilities (including sports dojangs and freelance businesses), the district actively encouraged participation in business suspension. A total of 655 businesses participated in the application process, which started earlier than other districts (March 23), and approximately 650 million KRW in support funds were provided.
This proactive support initiative by Seocho-gu has led to nationwide participation, including other districts in Seoul, with many local governments across the country providing closure support funds.
Currently, the district is implementing various policies to strongly enforce social distancing, including recommending the closure of private academies, controlling access to Yangjaecheon and Banpocheon streams, promoting non-face-to-face video meetings, and pioneering the triple 5-shift system (5-shift telecommuting, 5-shift staggered commuting, and 5-shift lunch breaks) as the first local government.
Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo said, “We sincerely thank the businesses that made the significant decision to suspend operations to prevent the spread within the community,” and added, “We will continue to prepare various support measures to alleviate the difficulties faced by small business owners and residents due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation.”
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