Seocho-gu, Antibacterial Film Applied to Elevators in All Residential Buildings

Distribution and Installation of 4,112 Elevator Antibacterial Films Expanded from All Apartments to Entire Residential Buildings

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] To make residential facilities, which are most closely related to residents' lives, the safest and most secure spaces, the district installed antibacterial films on elevator buttons in all apartment complexes starting March 16. Mr. Kim from Yangjae-dong said, "I was very anxious because many people touched them, but now I feel relieved," reflecting the enthusiastic response from residents.

Seocho-gu (District Mayor Jo Eun-hee) is expanding the distribution and attachment of virus antibacterial films to elevator buttons and entrance intercoms in all residential buildings in the area from April to prevent the spread of COVID-19 community cluster infections, considering the strong response from residents.

After a cluster infection occurred at the district call center on March 10, the district proactively installed antibacterial films on 2,193 elevator buttons in 247 apartment complexes throughout the area on March 16 as a preventive measure against cross-infection in the confined space of elevators, which raised concerns about cluster infections.

From this month, the expanded distribution targets all 1,457 residential buildings, including small-scale multi-family housing and officetels, where the main use is residential (1,919 elevator locations).

Without a separate application process, the Seocho quarantine team will visit all residential buildings directly within this week to provide guidance on how to attach the antibacterial films and distribute them.

Elevators, which residents use most frequently, are narrow and enclosed spaces with a high risk of direct contact, and there is also a possibility of indirect contact through buttons touched by many people, making them spaces with a high risk of cluster infections.

The antibacterial films distributed by the district are products that have passed tests by FITI Testing & Research Institute (an internationally accredited testing and certification organization) and contain copper (Cu+) components that make it difficult for viruses and infectious bacteria to survive, effectively blocking cross-infection through indirect contact.

By expanding the attachment of antibacterial films to elevator buttons in all residential buildings, it is expected to prevent cross-infection inside elevators and infections caused by button touches, as well as alleviate residents' anxiety, contributing to their psychological stability.

In addition, the district plans to actively respond to COVID-19 cluster infections and ensure no gaps in quarantine by distributing antibacterial films from the district office's reserve stock to general buildings upon request, outside of residential buildings, until the stock is exhausted.

Seocho District Mayor Jo Eun-hee said, "Due to the positive response from residents to the antibacterial films attached to apartment elevators in the area, we have decided to expand the implementation to all residential facilities, including small-scale multi-family housing and officetels," adding, "We will continue to create a safe Seocho for all residents through more thorough quarantine activities."