"Mart and Duty-Free Shop Closed for 3rd Day Due to Visit by Confirmed COVID-19 Case... 'Reopening Date Undecided'"

4 Major Locations Including Large Marts and Duty-Free Shops Closed Simultaneously on the 2nd
Daily Sales of Tens to Hundreds of Billions of Won
"Business Resumption After Health Authorities' Confirmation"

On the 3rd, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection continues, disinfection company staff are preparing to disinfect at Shilla Duty Free in Jung-gu, Seoul, where the 12th confirmed domestic patient visited. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] The temporary closure period of marts and duty-free shops confirmed to have been visited by confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) is being extended. Some places have daily sales reaching 10 billion KRW, causing significant distress in the industry.

According to the distribution industry on the 4th, Emart Bucheon Branch, which entered temporary closure on the afternoon of the 2nd, is making every effort in quarantine, conducting a total of three disinfection operations over two days on the 2nd and 3rd. Emart Bucheon Branch suspended operations after it was confirmed that the 12th and 14th confirmed patients, a married couple, had visited on the 30th of last month.

This store ranks within the top 10 in sales among all Emart stores nationwide, and the longer the temporary closure lasts, the greater the damage is known to be. However, no specific reopening date has been discussed so far.

An Emart official explained, "We will resume operations once the local health authorities confirm that there is no issue with the store," adding, "Our top priority is to make the store a place where customers can feel safe."

Previously, Emart Gunsan Branch, visited by the 8th confirmed patient, temporarily closed for three days from the 31st of last month to the 2nd of this month and resumed operations on the 3rd. Accordingly, Emart Bucheon Branch is also expected to reopen as early as this afternoon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The duty-free industry, which has large sales volumes, is in an even more difficult situation. On the 2nd, Shilla Duty Free Seoul Branch entered temporary closure after it was confirmed that the 12th confirmed patient had visited. On the same day, Shilla and Lotte Duty Free Jeju Branches closed their doors after it was confirmed that a confirmed Chinese tourist had visited. Currently, none of these duty-free shops have a confirmed reopening date.

Shilla Duty Free Seoul Branch is known to have average daily sales of 8 to 10 billion KRW. Lotte Duty Free Jeju Branch accounts for about 10% of total Lotte Duty Free sales, indicating a substantial sales volume.

Accordingly, Lotte Duty Free Jeju Branch is making every effort to reopen by expanding disinfection operations by professional companies from twice a week to once a day. Shilla Duty Free Jeju Branch is also expanding disinfection operations and plans to continue these efforts even after reopening.

Meanwhile, the duty-free industry will begin shortened business hours from today due to the spread prevention of the novel coronavirus and a decrease in visitors.

Shilla I'Park Duty Free located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, will shorten its hours by two hours, operating from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Lotte Duty Free will also shorten its business hours. Lotte Duty Free has moved the closing time two hours earlier to 6:30 PM from the previous 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM at four locations including the main store in Myeongdong, World Tower Branch, COEX Branch, and Busan Branch.

Shinsegae Duty Free has also joined the trend of shortening business hours. The three stores in Myeongdong, Busan, and Gangnam, which previously operated from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM, have reduced their hours by two hours to close at 6:30 PM. Hyundai Department Store Duty Free is also reviewing shortening business hours through internal meetings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.