CJ, Full Effort in Operating New Coronavirus Task Force... Unlimited Closure of CGV and Je-dang China Business Sites

Theaters and factories in China delay business reopening... Closely monitoring the situation, cautious reopening policy
Domestic Olive Young considers banning cosmetic testing... CGV implements theater disinfection and reopening by confirmed case movement areas

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] CJ Group has formed and is operating a 'Novel Coronavirus Response TF' to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), checking and specially managing the situation of its affiliates conducting business activities in China daily. Through online meetings with the domestic holding company's safety management team, heads of business corporations in China, and safety officers, it was decided to postpone the reopening and resumption of operations of CGV's China business sites and CJ CheilJedang's food factories in China for the time being.

According to CJ Group on the 5th, CJ CGV, which operates 134 movie theaters in China, declared a temporary closure of all business sites from the 24th of last month and planned to resume operations on the 2nd of this month but postponed the reopening again. The Chinese government requested the temporary closure of all movie theaters during the Lunar New Year holiday, leading to the suspension of operations, and as the holiday period was extended until the 9th, operations will not resume at least until that day. However, reopening after that remains uncertain. A CGV official explained, "We decided to close temporarily because we judged that actively cooperating with the Chinese government would help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus," adding, "We plan to carefully resume operations while closely monitoring the situation after the 9th, but we cannot say exactly when normal operations will resume."

CJ CheilJedang, which operates 21 factories across China, is also cooperating with the Chinese government and plans not to recklessly resume factory operations. While 14 bio and feed factories are operating with full safety measures, the seven food factories stopped operations as the Lunar New Year began. They must remain closed until the 9th, but will decide on resumption based on the situation thereafter.

CJ Logistics, which is actively conducting logistics business in China, is experiencing busy days due to the surge in online order transactions following the spread of the novel coronavirus. Accordingly, CJ Group continues to send masks and hand sanitizers to China for the safety of these employees. A CJ Group official said, "We plan to continue supporting related hygiene products for the safety of employees in China."

Domestic affiliates are also revising business strategies and responding to the novel coronavirus. CJ O Shopping will suspend travel product sales for the time being and organize broadcasts focusing on health foods, hygiene products, and cleaning home appliances. CJ Olive Young is closely monitoring the situation and is also considering banning cosmetic testing in stores. Store employees are required to wear masks, and hand sanitizers are installed and in use at entrances. An Olive Young official explained, "Currently, when testing cosmetics, cotton pads or swabs are used, and employees provide detailed guidance nearby to ensure safety," adding, "However, since customer safety is paramount, we are also considering banning cosmetic testing."

CGV resumed operations at the Bucheon Station branch from this day after temporarily suspending operations domestically for the safety of customers and employees upon notification that a confirmed case had visited. A CGV official said, "Following the guidelines of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we conducted thorough disinfection of the entire theater three times, including by the health center, to ensure safety," adding, "In addition to Bucheon, urgent disinfection was also conducted focusing on areas along the movement paths of confirmed cases such as Suwon, Gangneung, Ilsan, and Gwangju." The Sungshin Women's University Entrance branch resumed operations from the 3rd. CGV plans to strengthen hygiene management, including personal prevention guidelines within theaters, provision of hand sanitizers, and mask-wearing."

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