COVID-19 Medical and Quarantine Field Personnel and Their Families Targeted
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 1st that it will implement special support for the ‘Idolbom Service’ starting from the 2nd.
This special support is temporarily promoted to alleviate the economic burden on families due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, minimize care gaps, and support childcare for the children of medical staff and quarantine workers who are working around the clock on site.
However, the extension will be decided monthly considering the COVID-19 situation.
The support targets essential medical and health personnel and support staff working at COVID-19 dedicated medical institutions, screening clinics, and other quarantine response agencies, who have children under 12 years old and face childcare gaps due to both parents working.
In particular, for families of medical and quarantine personnel, the existing support of 0~85% of usage fees based on household income level will be expanded to 60~90%. Accordingly, compared to the current standard, the burden on user families will be reduced by up to 60% (service fee per hour reduced from 10,040 KRW to 4,016 KRW).
Also, considering the nature of 24-hour quarantine work, usage is possible 24 hours a day including weekends, regardless of usage time or day.
Special exceptions for the Idolbom Service will also be applied to general families who are not medical or quarantine personnel to alleviate their economic burden.
Until now, support ranged from 0~85% depending on income level, but during the special exception period, support of 40~90% can be received.
Furthermore, families who previously had to pay 100% out-of-pocket (10,040 KRW per hour) due to exceeding income limits (over 150% of median income) can receive 40% support during the special exception period, so they only need to pay 6,024 KRW per hour.
During this period, the annual support limit (840 hours) does not apply, and support hours are weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Families wishing to use the Idolbom Service can inquire for detailed information through the Idolbom homepage, consultation hotline, or the five district Idolbom service providers.
Kim Soon-ok, head of the Women and Family Division of the city, said, “As the COVID-19 situation prolongs, the fatigue and economic impact on families due to childcare gaps are significant. We hope that quarantine personnel working hard on site will make good use of this special support benefit.”
Meanwhile, the Idolbom Service is a system where professionally trained caregivers designated by Gwangju visit families experiencing childcare gaps due to both parents working and safely care for children one-on-one.
Currently, about 900 caregivers are active in Gwangju, and each of the five district Idolbom service providers recruits and trains caregivers by region, connects and manages them to each family, and monitors their activities, so children can be entrusted with confidence.
Families with children from 3 months old to under 12 years old can use the service, and it is possible to use it for the desired time as needed, allowing safe childcare during night, weekend work, or emergency situations.
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