Samsung Electronics to Close Smartphone Production at Gumi Plant... Infected Employee's Floor Closed Until 25th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] On the 22nd, a confirmed case of COVID-19 occurred at Samsung Electronics' Gumi plant, leading to a partial closure of the facility. The entire Gumi plant will be closed until 12 PM on the 24th, and the floor where the confirmed case worked will remain closed until 12 PM on the 25th, making some disruption to the smartphone production line operation inevitable.

Samsung Electronics' COVID-19 Emergency Response Task Force (TF) sent an "urgent notice" text message to employees on the same day, stating, "This morning, a confirmed case was identified at Samsung Electronics' Gumi plant. The company has decided to close the Gumi plant until the morning of the 24th and is currently conducting disinfection of all facilities."

The COVID-19 Emergency Response TF urged employees, "Please refrain from personal outings and using or attending crowded facilities during Saturday and Sunday," and added, "Also, for personal infection prevention, please be sure to wear a mask individually when coming to work on Monday."

After confirming the COVID-19 case among Gumi plant employees that morning, the COVID-19 Emergency Response TF immediately coordinated with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to quarantine and test colleagues who had contact with the confirmed case. All employees were sent home early, and the Gumi plant was temporarily closed.

The Gumi plant will remain closed until the morning of the 24th, and the floor where the confirmed case worked will be closed until the morning of the 25th, during which thorough disinfection will be conducted. Additionally, the movements of colleagues who had contact with the confirmed case will be tracked to take further quarantine and testing measures.

The Gumi plant belongs to Samsung Electronics' 2nd plant, which produces foldable smartphones such as the recently released Galaxy Z Flip. The confirmed case is reported to be from the Wireless Business Division.

Multiple employees at Samsung Electronics' Gumi plant reported, "As soon as the news of the confirmed case was announced, all employees working weekend overtime were forced to leave, and the building was closed for disinfection," adding, "Residents of the apartment where the confirmed case lives are also experiencing increased fear."

The Gumi city government announced on the same day, "A confirmed COVID-19 case has occurred," and stated, "The confirmed case is a 28-year-old woman residing in Sandong-myeon and an employee of a major corporation's Wireless Business Division in the Gumi National Industrial Complex." Gumi Mayor Jang Seyong also posted on social media, "It has been confirmed that the confirmed case met with her boyfriend who attended Shincheonji Church gatherings on the 9th and 16th. She is currently quarantined at home."

Additionally, Samsung Electronics' COVID-19 Emergency Response TF sent separate response guidance text messages to employees at each plant on the same day. Employees who have visited the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region since February 7 were urged to report immediately and follow certain behavioral guidelines.

If an employee's movement overlaps with that of the confirmed case, they must report to the company and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stay at home for 14 days, and return to work on March 6. Employees with fever or respiratory symptoms are advised to return to work only after receiving a negative test result. Employees who visited the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region but have no symptoms are instructed to visit the company’s affiliated clinic screening room before coming to work on the 24th.

Furthermore, starting from the 24th, wearing masks on commuting buses has been made mandatory.

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