[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has taken decisive action to block the spread of COVID-19 within companies triggered by the Bucheon Coupang logistics center outbreak.
On the 29th, through a Facebook post titled "Support for Pooling Tests in General Companies, Active Consideration of Restricting Corporate Activities if Necessary," Governor Lee stated, "Overreaction is better than delayed response," adding, "If the risk is high, a strong response that may seem excessive is necessary for safety. Authority comes with responsibility, and responsibility includes criticism, but I will endure criticism for the exercise of authority," signaling a strong response to block COVID-19.
He further said, "Even if it is judged as excessive caution or over-measures, necessary actions to ensure safety and prevent infection spread must be taken promptly and without hesitation," adding, "Entertainment establishments such as pubs, clubs, karaoke bars, and singing rooms are legitimate economic activities, but since they have been subject to long-term gathering bans due to infection risks, the same standards will be applied to companies."
In particular, he stated, "If corporate activities for production and distribution pose a high risk of infection, it is appropriate to suspend them for public safety," and added, "Gyeonggi Province is currently conducting a risk assessment of infections in general companies, including logistics centers, and will implement targeted measures to prevent infection and spread based on the investigation results."
Governor Lee also said, "If there is structural infection risk, failure to properly follow preventive measures, or poor response after confirmed cases leading to infection risk, immediate measures such as gathering bans or facility closures will be taken against general companies," promising, "If companies need sample testing for infection confirmation to prevent spread, pooling tests will be supported with Gyeonggi Province’s budget."
He emphasized again, "All citizens are currently exercising restraint and enduring hardships for safety," adding, "While economic activities are important, public safety is more important, and allowing risks to be neglected for corporate profits in dangerous situations is unacceptable," warning of a strong response.
He also urged, "Please make greater efforts to minimize infection risks by strictly adhering to preventive measures in corporate activities," and requested understanding, saying, "This decision is an unavoidable measure to prevent the worst-case scenario leading to a full shutdown."
Earlier, on the 28th, at an emergency press conference broadcast online from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government situation room, Governor Lee said, "Companies must actively engage in quarantine measures with a serious awareness of the current situation," and stated, "Since prevention is best, if companies want random (COVID-19) sample testing to block infection and prevent spread, Gyeonggi Province will actively support the pooling test budget."
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