Additional Operation of Temporary Screening Clinic in Hannam-dong from the 12th... Masks to be Provided 10 per Foreigner Cooperating with Preemptive Testing... Epidemiological Investigation Personnel Increased from 67 to 83
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Recently, with the rapid increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases, the so-called '4th wave' is becoming a reality.
Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seongjang Hyun) has focused administrative efforts on responding to COVID-19 following the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' implementation of the '4th stage of new social distancing in the metropolitan area.'
First, starting from the 12th, the district will additionally operate a temporary screening clinic in Hannam-dong (224-19 Itaewon-ro, Hannam-dong Public Parking Lot).
The operating hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it is closed during weekday disinfection time (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.). It is also closed on Sundays and public holidays. The operating staff consists of 15 people, including 3 medical personnel supported by Seoul City. Six soldiers will also be deployed.
The existing health center screening clinic (150 Noksapyeong-daero) extended its operating hours by 3 to 5 hours starting from the 1st. It operates weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with 11 staff working in shifts daily.
The Yongsan Station temporary screening clinic (55 Hangang-daero 23-gil, Yongsan Station Front Plaza) has 21 staff working in shifts, and its operating hours are the same as the Hannam-dong temporary screening clinic.
A district official stated, “We are guiding COVID-19 preemptive testing not only to Korean nationals but also to foreigners,” adding, “Masks will be distributed at 10 per person through the Global Village Center to foreigners who cooperate.”
The district also increased epidemiological investigation personnel from 67 to 83, adding 16 people. Five new temporary workers were selected earlier this month, and additional personnel support was received from Seoul City, the military, and the police.
Management of self-quarantined individuals (1,539 as of the 9th) is carried out by 225 district office employees. In addition to monitoring via smartphone apps, unannounced on-site (home) inspections are conducted more than five times a week.
Special inspections of multi-use facilities have been ongoing since the 1st. Inspection targets include local entertainment and lodging facilities, general restaurants, karaoke rooms, PC rooms, sports facilities, churches, academies, and distribution facilities. Assigned public officials, life quarantine officers, and honorary public health inspectors visit sites to check for rule violations.
The number of night duty staff has also increased from 5 to 7. Upon receiving reports of quarantine rule violations, they will visit the site together with the police to respond more actively.
The residential treatment center (157 beds) is jointly operated with Jung-gu. Medical and administrative personnel of 20 work in shifts.
Vaccinations are also accelerating. In the third quarter, Pfizer vaccines will be administered to residents of elderly facilities aged 75 and older, essential social workers under 30 (police, coast guard, firefighters, etc.), high school seniors and staff, childcare and kindergarten care workers, and military enlistees.
Starting from the 26th, Moderna vaccinations for those aged 50 and over will also be conducted in cooperation with local entrusted medical institutions.
Seongjang Hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “The COVID-19 situation is very serious,” and added, “We will mobilize all available personnel within the district office to respond immediately.” He also stated, “To prevent further hardship to the local economy, we will proceed as planned with interest-free loans and vitality fund support for small business owners, support for closed small businesses, and employment incentives for unemployed youth.”
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