Yeongdeungpo-gu Toyoko Inn Hotel and 2 Other Locations Operate 'Senior Heat Relief Shelters'

From 8 PM on the day of the heatwave advisory issuance to 8 AM the next day, single occupancy rooms available... Operation until August 31... ‘Owl Heat Shelter’ extended to 24 hours from July 27 to August 20

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is operating ‘Safe Accommodations’ and ‘24-hour Owl Heatwave Shelters’ in preparation for the full-scale summer heatwave, supporting vulnerable groups such as elderly people living alone to safely get through the summer.

Due to the suspension of indoor heatwave shelters such as senior centers and welfare centers amid the community spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), vulnerable groups exposed to heatwaves are facing a severe shortage of facilities to escape the heat.

Last year, several cases of heat-related illnesses occurred during the summer, so with a record-breaking heatwave forecast this year, more thorough preparations are expected to be necessary.

Accordingly, the district has partnered with local hotels and lodging businesses to operate ‘Safe Accommodations’ as alternative heatwave shelters. This service targets elderly people aged 65 and older who are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses caused by heatwaves.

Elderly residents in vulnerable housing conditions living in the area can be assigned one room per person from 8 p.m. on the day a heatwave warning is issued until 8 a.m. the next day to use the safe accommodations, in order to prevent COVID-19.

The district plans to recruit users until the 17th and then officially start operations.

The three hotels where ‘Safe Accommodations’ will be operated are ▲Toyoko Inn Hotel (293 Singil-ro) ▲Benikea Hotel (389 Yeongdeungpo-ro) ▲Hotel Bridge (9 Yeongdeungpo-ro).

The operation period is until August 31, and the accommodations can be used on days when a heatwave warning is issued during this period.

Another initiative is the ‘24-hour Owl Heatwave Shelter.’ The district decided to expand the operation of the ‘Owl Shelter,’ which was operated last year when a heatwave warning was issued, and will operate it 24 hours a day from the 27th to August 20, protecting the health and safety of vulnerable groups threatened by the heatwave.

The facility will be operated according to the ‘Heatwave Shelter Operation Guidelines for COVID-19 Prevention,’ including ▲designation of quarantine managers ▲regular disinfection and sterilization of facilities ▲keeping visitor logs ▲and other hygiene management measures. This is to ensure that users can safely escape the heat without concerns about COVID-19 infection.

The district also requires facility users to comply with safety rules such as wearing masks inside the facility and maintaining social distancing, making efforts to prevent COVID-19 infection caused by group use through prior preparation.

Users can apply by phone or by visiting the Urban Safety Division of the district office before using the shelter. On-site registration on the day of use is also possible depending on the availability of remaining facilities (tents) beyond prior reservations.

In addition, the district is making multifaceted preparations for heatwaves by creating outdoor heatwave shelters in parks easily accessible to residents and installing additional heatwave shade tents in areas with heavy foot traffic.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “We have prepared safe accommodations and owl heatwave shelters for vulnerable groups struggling with the summer heatwave,” and added, “We will continue to strive to prevent COVID-19 spread and heatwave damage to protect the lives and safety of our residents.”