Yeongdeungpo-gu to Reopen Daycare Centers After 195 Days

239 Daycare Centers to Resume Normal Operations from August 18...Decision Based on Daycare Infection Control Status and Emergency Care Demand

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) announced that the closure order for 239 daycare centers, which was implemented as a preemptive measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, has been lifted, and normal operations will resume from the 18th.

This comes 195 days after the first closure order was implemented on February 5.

A district official explained that this decision was made as the prolonged closure of daycare centers increased the burden of home care on guardians, and the demand for emergency childcare grew.

They added that the reopening was expedited considering the good compliance with quarantine and hygiene rules at the daycare centers, and the fact that no confirmed cases among childcare staff or infants and toddlers have occurred in the area.

Currently, emergency childcare is being provided for infants and toddlers from dual-income families or those with other urgent reasons who find home care difficult. The utilization rate has risen from 10.6% (February 28) before the closure order to 80.6% (July 21), showing an increase of about seven times.

On the 5th, the district notified all daycare centers of the lifting of the closure order along with the main quarantine guidelines for reopening, urging strict compliance with the policies.

Furthermore, the district will continue to monitor adherence to the daycare centers' quarantine guidelines and hygiene rules.

The main points of the quarantine guidelines include ▲ refraining from direct physical contact and outdoor activities during childcare programs; if unavoidable, strictly maintaining social distancing and focusing on individual play ▲ special activity programs require consent from guardians and the daycare operation committee, and must be conducted after verifying the identity and movement paths of external instructors ▲ childcare staff and enrolled children must have their temperatures checked at least twice daily, and attendance is prohibited if fever or suspicious symptoms are present ▲ teaching materials and tools must be disinfected daily, and masks must be worn at all times during childcare hours when children or outsiders come into contact.

Additionally, entry of outsiders is only allowed in urgent cases such as CCTV repairs, air purifier filter maintenance, childcare training, parental observation during adaptation periods, or when a patient occurs.

Prior to this, the district resumed operation of the toy library from July 16 for members through a reservation system to alleviate childcare difficulties for families with infants and toddlers. For families with disabilities, grandparents raising grandchildren, and infant families who find it difficult to visit the facility, a toy delivery service is also provided.

Moreover, the Kids Clean Plus project, which supports cleaning and disinfection of daycare centers to ensure a pleasant childcare environment, has been operating since July 7.

The district also added that starting with the lifting of the daycare closure order, it plans to gradually resume operations of childcare facilities such as the Mom Dundeun Center, Open Parenting Room, and hourly childcare facilities.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We will do our best to ensure that our children can use daycare centers safely through continuous infection prevention activities and monitoring,” and asked, “We also request that daycare staff and parents actively cooperate in complying with quarantine rules to maintain a safe and healthy daycare environment.”