A disinfection operation under way at a community center in southern Seoul. (image: Songpa Ward)
SEOUL, March 30 (Korea Bizwire) — While the spread of the novel coronavirus continues unabated, autonomous districts in Seoul are making all-out efforts to ‘wage a war’ on COVID-19.
District offices are in charge of the quarantine front and are working to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus outbreak in their community.
District heads have decided to return 30 percent of their salaries for four months, and employees are going all out to prevent the virus from spreading at their respective locations.
In particular, the three Gangnam districts of southern Seoul where the number of outbound travelers returning is on the rise are making all-out efforts to respond.
The Seocho District Office said Wednesday that it will send text messages to inform citizens that those who entered Korea after March 13 can receive a free checkup. Even those who do not show any symptoms of the virus can meet with a doctor.
The district also guided citizens to the selected medical centers for checkup through text messages.
According to the district, 143 out of 184 residents who visited selected clinics the day after the text was actually sent were individuals who recently returned from foreign countries.
There are other measures that the districts are taking to prevent the spread of infection.
Dobong District will set up an online chapel inside the district office, lend equipment and support technology so church officials can offer real-time online worship or record services.
What’s more notable is the voluntary quarantine teams. Residents and doctors, gathered on their own free will, are sweating to help with the quarantine.
The Dongdaemun District Medical Association is volunteering to work on weekend at selected medical centers within the district.
In Jungnang District, a quarantine team consisting of volunteers disinfected 1,900 facilities, including a senior citizen center, religious facilities and bus stops.
“A volunteer group has gathered to prevent the risk of infection,” a district official said. “They are striving to prevent the virus from spreading as if it is their job.”
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
