Samsung Electronics has isolated about 50 employees known to have visited hospitals suspected of treating infected patients or who shared a plane with the patients, by having them work from home. (image: Samsung Electronics)
SUWON, Jun. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Major companies in Gyeonggido are trying to block any spread of the MERS virus by allowing some employees to work at home, and sending others to quarantine.
Groundless rumors are also spreading on workers’ SNS, adding more pressure for companies to act upon workers known to have been in direct or indirect contact with infected patients.
According to Samsung Electronics on June 2, no Samsung employee has been infected, suspected or in quarantine so far.
However, the company has isolated about 50 employees known to have visited hospitals suspected of treating infected patients or who shared a plane with the patients, by having them work from home.
The company is also examining 98 employees who recently returned from business trips to the Middle East
Kia Motors is also dealing with rumors, including the suggestion that a whole plant is in a state of emergency since an employee tested positive for the MERS virus.
A Kia Motors official said that although a worker visited a hospital where an infected patient had been treated, the worker already requested to be isolated, even though they did not have any symptoms at the time.
On June 1, a Ssangyong Motors employee was diagnosed with the virus, and was immediately isolated. About 20 employees who were in contact with the infected worker have been sent home.
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
