Seongdong-gu Continues S-Quarantine with Residents After One Year of COVID-19

‘World's First Mobile Electronic Registry’ ‘COVID-19 Worry-Free Smart Shelter’ and Other Leading Policies... 24-Hour Operation System of Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, Periodic Text Services, and Nation's First Essential Workers Ordinance... Drive-in Theater, Drive-Thru Library Book Rental Service, Veranda Concert, Psychological Quarantine Services for Vulnerable Groups

Mobile e-Government

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) has been smartening up and systematizing its quarantine measures, which are still ongoing even after a year since the outbreak of COVID-19.

In preparation for the occurrence of COVID-19 infections, the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters was immediately formed and has been operating a 24-hour emergency duty system for one year.

The first confirmed case in Seongdong was a resident of an apartment complex. Since residents share common facilities, this brought great tension to Seongdong. Accordingly, the district immediately activated a response system, conducted comprehensive disinfection, and thoroughly handled the initial response by promptly installing antibacterial films on the shared facilities of the apartment complex.

Previously, based on lessons learned from the 2015 MERS outbreak, the district proactively prepared for infectious diseases by constructing a separate building for a screening clinic equipped with negative pressure facilities and HEPA filters in 2017, leading among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

Also, the Seongdong-gu Public Health Center screening clinic, visited by President Moon Jae-in in the early days of COVID-19 and introduced as a nationwide exemplary case, operates two locations including a temporary screening clinic. As of February 22, a total of 91,654 people have been tested for COVID-19.

The now familiar QR code-based ‘Mobile Electronic Log’ was also a nationwide first achievement led by Seongdong-gu. Utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT), it marked the starting point for accurately managing the entry status of multi-use facilities in real time.

After Seongdong-gu’s pilot introduction in May last year, the government began nationwide operation of the electronic entry log in June, providing a foundation for rapid epidemiological investigations when confirmed cases occur.

Amid the widespread COVID-19 crisis, smart technology was also introduced for everyday convenience. The Seongdong-type Smart Shelter, first unveiled in the summer of 2020, is a futuristic IoT (Internet of Things) bus stop equipped with ‘real-time bus and subway public transportation information,’ a ‘UV air sterilizer’ that kills airborne viruses, and a ‘thermal imaging camera.’

With heating and cooling facilities, it can be used comfortably in all seasons, and especially provides a safe environment during COVID-19. In January alone, 130,000 residents used the smart shelter during the cold wave, gaining global attention as a smart K-quarantine case.

Along with the hard work of the epidemiological investigation team responding day and night?handling civil complaints by day and epidemiological investigations by night?the district continuously shares and communicates immediate updates and response statuses on infectious diseases with residents through regular text message services.

Seongdong’s active efforts to support essential workers?such as those in care, childcare, healthcare, apartment complexes, and transportation sectors?who perform face-to-face labor to maintain our society even during disaster situations like the novel coronavirus infection, also stand out.

In September last year, Seongdong-gu became the first in the nation to define the concept of ‘essential workers’ and promulgated an ordinance to protect and support them. The district has implemented various policies including providing safety supplies, flu vaccines, COVID-19 testing support, psychological support services, and launched the ‘Thank You, Essential Workers’ campaign to express gratitude and respect, advancing multifaceted projects to improve essential workers’ treatment.

Other achievements in COVID-19 response include operating the Salgotyi Park drive-in theater, drive-thru public library book rental services, veranda concerts, and psychological quarantine services for vulnerable groups.

This year, as the government announced that vaccination will begin at the end of this month, Seongdong-gu plans to thoroughly prepare for vaccine inoculation. The district also plans to actively support small business owners and self-employed individuals currently facing difficulties through various policies such as support from the Small and Medium Business Development Fund and rent reductions.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “Although the COVID-19 crisis is being experienced worldwide, we have proactively responded by implementing various policies such as the mobile electronic log and smart shelters to ensure convenient daily life for residents. Despite daily inconveniences, it was the active cooperation of local residents who strictly adhered to quarantine rules at the central and local government levels that allowed us to overcome several nationwide epidemic peaks.”