Garak Market Lunar New Year COVID-19 Special Quarantine... Operation of Screening Clinics and Preemptive PCR Testing

Operation of Screening Clinics and PCR Preemptive Testing, Participation in Transactions Only for Negative Confirmed Cases, Daily Facility Disinfection and Promotion/Guidance for Distributors, Active Response Leads to Clear Decrease and Stabilization of Recent Confirmed Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seoul Agro-Fisheries & Food Corporation (President Young-pyo Moon) will implement special COVID-19 quarantine measures (January 17?29) at the Garak-dong Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Seoul ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

The corporation has established and operates a joint response system among related organizations by forming the Garak Market COVID-19 Emergency Response Headquarters (including Seoul City, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Songpa-gu, and the corporation) to share COVID-19 issues and make important decisions. A screening clinic has been set up within Garak Market (from November 10, 2021 to February 28, 2022), and twice-weekly PCR proactive testing is conducted before trading begins, allowing only those confirmed negative to participate in transactions.

Only individuals confirmed negative who wear identification marks (badges, necklaces, etc.) are permitted to participate in trading. In particular, symptomatic persons are strictly prohibited from entering upon verification of entry passes before auctions.

Additionally, the corporation conducts disinfection at least once daily across all facilities including auction halls, stores, restrooms, and elevators, and immediately disinfects stores and logistics equipment upon confirmation of positive cases. To raise awareness about COVID-19, banners (a total of 36 locations) are displayed throughout Garak Market, and announcements are broadcast 24 times daily.

Furthermore, aiming to achieve a 70% third-dose vaccination rate among distribution workers at Garak Market before the Lunar New Year, the corporation collaborates with distribution organizations for continuous promotion and guidance. A group chat involving the corporation and distributors has been established, and meetings including the corporation and COVID-19 responsible wholesale market corporations are held regularly to systematically manage COVID-19 tasks.

Moreover, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the corporation has improved ventilation facilities in intermediate wholesaler stores (supplementing 84 ventilation units), closed indoor smoking booths within the market, created three outdoor smoking areas, supplied disinfectants and other quarantine supplies (at 144 locations including elevators and wholesale zones), and provided disinfectant supplies and usage training by corporation and association, striving to create a safe environment at Garak Market amid COVID-19. (Key measures are summarized in the table below)

Thanks to the joint efforts of the corporation, wholesale market corporations, and distribution organizations, the average daily number of confirmed cases at Garak Market has recently remained in the single digits, showing a clear downward trend. However, the corporation plans to maintain heightened vigilance and strengthen quarantine measures ahead of the Lunar New Year peak season.

As an additional measure for the Lunar New Year, the corporation will form inspection teams composed of corporation staff and distributors to monitor mask-wearing, socially distanced auctions, smoking, and tasting during auctions both day and night. During this period, Seoul Metropolitan Government and the corporation will enforce COVID-19 quarantine guidelines such as mask-wearing and impose fines on violators.

Also, after the four-day Lunar New Year holiday, only those confirmed negative by PCR tests conducted February 1?2 will be allowed to participate in trading upon returning on February 3. In preparation for COVID-19 situations, non-face-to-face transactions such as fixed-price and private sales will be actively utilized if some confirmed cases occur.

In particular, for fruits which have high trading volumes during the Lunar New Year, daily disinfection will be conducted in auction halls, stores, loading union rest areas, restrooms, and restaurants, and an emergency disinfection standby team will be operated for rapid response in case of incidents.

Lee Ni-se, Head of the Distribution Division, stated, “During the special COVID-19 quarantine period for the Lunar New Year, we will do our utmost to manage COVID-19 quarantine and ensure there are no disruptions in the supply of agricultural and marine products.”