Controllers, drivers, and others urged to include Q2 COVID-19 vaccination targets... "If essential workers like Seoul Metro controllers and drivers face cluster infections, subway operations will inevitably stop"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seoul Metropolitan Council member Jeong Ji-gwon (Democratic Party, Seongdong 2) participated on the 28th in the 300th extraordinary session transportation corporation business report held at Gwanghwamun Station and the 'COVID-19 Response Station Disinfection,' urging measures to include essential subway operation workers such as controllers and drivers working at the subway control center in the second quarter COVID-19 vaccination target group.
To prevent situations where the subway stops due to mass COVID-19 infections among essential subway operation workers such as controllers and drivers, these essential workers must be included in the second quarter COVID-19 vaccination target group.
However, the Transportation Corporation has so far been inactive regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for essential subway operation workers.
Seoul Transportation Corporation has had no cases of mass infections among employees due to effective quarantine and prevention activities, but if essential subway operation workers such as controllers become infected en masse with COVID-19, the subway will inevitably stop, and the resulting social confusion and economic damage are expected to be enormous.
COVID-19 vaccinations are classified and administered in four groups. In the second quarter, vaccinations are being given to inpatients and residents aged 65 and over in nursing hospitals and nursing facilities, residents and workers in COVID-19 vulnerable facilities, seniors aged 65 and over, schools and care spaces, chronic disease patients, healthcare workers, and 'social essential workers.' However, essential subway operation workers such as controllers are not included in the 'social essential workers' category.
Council member Jeong Ji-gwon stated, “If essential subway operation workers such as controllers and drivers do not receive priority COVID-19 vaccinations, a situation where the subway stops due to mass infections is foreseeable,” adding, “According to the COVID-19 vaccination order presented by the government, the second quarter includes 'social essential workers' as target recipients. Please verify whether essential subway operation workers are included in the government's 'social essential workers' category, and if not included, cooperate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure they are included in the second quarter vaccination targets,” urging the Transportation Corporation to take action.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
