Seocho-gu Temporarily Allows Single-Use Items in All Food Service Establishments

From February 7, temporary expansion of the Ministry of Environment's 'temporary allowance for food service establishments at international airports, ports, KTX and train stations' to 'all food service establishments' at the local government level for 8,699 food service businesses (general, rest restaurants, bakeries, etc.) in Seocho-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) has temporarily allowed the use of disposable products at all food service establishments in the district starting from the 7th, following the escalation of the novel coronavirus infection crisis alert level to the caution stage and confirmed cases occurring in the three Gangnam districts.

Accordingly, 8,699 food service establishments closely related to residents' daily lives, such as restaurants and bakeries, will have relaxed restrictions on disposable product use until the caution stage is lifted.

This measure expands the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment and Seoul City on the 3rd, applied at the local government level.

The Ministry of Environment permits temporary use of disposable products in food service businesses located at international airports, ports, KTX/train stations (including subways connected to airports and ports) where frequent domestic and international traffic occurs, if thorough disinfection and cleaning are deemed difficult due to many customers or upon direct customer request, subject to the judgment of the local government head. Seoul City has temporarily allowed disposable product use in 11 districts.

In response, the district applied Article 10, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 4 of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, Article 8, Paragraph 4, Subparagraph 4 of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act, and Article 1 of the Ministry of Environment Notice on 'Exemptions from Disposable Product Use Regulations (Prohibition of Free Provision and Use Suppression),' which states that "in the case of infectious disease disasters, the district head may exclude disposable product use regulations if urgently necessary." The temporary relaxation was expanded to "all food service establishments in the district," allowing temporary use of disposable products when thorough disinfection and cleaning are difficult due to many customers or upon direct customer request.

Mr. Ham (74, resident of Sinwon-dong) said that this temporary allowance is good because it is clean, hygienic, and helps alleviate residents' anxiety about the novel coronavirus.

Also, Mr. Shin (54), who runs a cafe in Yangjae-dong, welcomed the measure, saying it would provide some help to businesses that have seen a drop in customers.

The district has proactively led responses to the novel coronavirus through continuous inspections and management of local food service establishments. It has transparently disclosed the names, locations, and measures of restaurants used by confirmed patients, encouraged workers to wear masks, and conducted thorough disinfection through the 'Seocho Disinfection Team.'

Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo stated, “Since protecting the health of the people is the top priority in national disaster situations such as the spread of the novel coronavirus, it is necessary for all districts in Seoul and the government to consider expanding the temporary allowance of disposable products.”

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