CJ CheilJedang Blossom Park Reports COVID-19 Case... Research Building Closed

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] On the 1st, a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred at CJ Blossom Park, CJ CheilJedang's integrated food and bio R&D research center, resulting in the closure of the research building.

CJ CheilJedang confirmed the occurrence of a confirmed case at CJ Blossom Park located in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and announced that the facility was closed and employees were sent home.

Employees at CJ Blossom Park were sent home sequentially by building starting from the morning of the day, and will begin working from home until the 3rd. CJ CheilJedang explained that employees are scheduled to return to work normally from the 4th, but the return date may change depending on the epidemiological investigation.

The CJ Blossom Park COVID-19 emergency response team sent text messages to employees notifying them to self-isolate at home after returning home. Wearing masks was also made mandatory.

A CJ CheilJedang official said, “An employee voluntarily took a COVID-19 test after showing high fever symptoms over the weekend, and tested positive this morning without coming to work, informing the company of the related facts,” adding, “Immediately after the confirmed diagnosis, CJ CheilJedang closed the entire research center and is conducting thorough disinfection work to ensure the safety of employees.” The official also added, “All employees of the research center were immediately sent home, and all close contacts are undergoing self-quarantine and testing.”

Earlier last month, a confirmed COVID-19 case occurred at CJ CheilJedang's Busan factory. The confirmed individual had visited an Itaewon club on the 2nd of last month and came to the office asymptomatic from the 6th to the 8th. The individual was notified of the positive result on the 11th. Immediately after the confirmed diagnosis, CJ CheilJedang closed not only the main office building where the employee worked but also all facilities overlapping the movement path.