Customer Given Card After Boiler Repair... "Actually, I Am a Confirmed COVID-19 Patient"

On the 22nd, SBS reported that a boiler repair technician went to a customer's house to perform a repair, and after finishing the work, the customer confessed that they were a confirmed COVID-19 patient, causing the technician to suffer damages. Photo by SBS

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A boiler repair technician reportedly had to undergo COVID-19 self-quarantine due to a ridiculous incident.

On the 22nd, SBS reported that a boiler repair technician went to a customer's house to perform repairs, and after finishing the work, the customer confessed, "I am a confirmed COVID-19 patient," causing trouble for the technician.

According to the report, technician A was dispatched last week to a household in Bucheon.

After repairing the boiler for 20 minutes and just as A was about to pay the repair fee by card, the customer made the absurd statement, "I am a confirmed patient, so you need to get tested."

The customer had been notified of their positive diagnosis that morning and was waiting at home to be admitted to a community treatment center.

When asked why they opened the door, the customer replied, "I was flustered."

A appealed, saying, "It's a matter of conscience. No matter how uncomfortable you feel, causing this kind of harm to others is unacceptable."

The health authorities plan to determine whether the act was intentional before deciding on whether to file charges.

Fortunately, the boiler technician tested negative but was classified as a close contact and must self-quarantine for two weeks.

A, who is immediately worried about supporting a family of four, expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "I am one of those who earn in winter and have to live off that in summer. If I have no income for a month like this, this month and even summer will be tough for us."

A can receive about 1.2 million won in self-quarantine support funds for a family of four from the government, but this is less than half of their income.