Rising Fears of an Industry-Wide 'Simultaneous Shutdown'... No Mask, No Commute Bus, and Social Distancing in Restaurants

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyewon Kim and Jihee Kim] The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis is reaching a peak level of concern that it could trigger a 'domino shutdown' across domestic industries. Not only companies located in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, where confirmed COVID-19 cases have surged, but also symptomatic individuals are spreading nationwide, making production disruptions inevitable due to immediate workplace closures upon confirmed cases. While companies are busy identifying employees who had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients, it has been found that there are quite a few cases currently under self-quarantine and undergoing COVID-19 testing.

◆Will domestic manufacturing plants face simultaneous shutdowns? Companies on high alert= According to industry sources on the 24th, Samsung Electronics temporarily closed its Gumi plant until noon on the 22nd after a COVID-19 case was confirmed among employees, followed by disinfection measures. Meanwhile, at the Suwon plant where the headquarters is located, a symptomatic individual has emerged and is currently awaiting COVID-19 test results. An employee from the R4 (Digital Research Lab) purchasing team who returned from a business trip to Taiwan between the 11th and 14th voluntarily reported to the local health center after developing high fever and chills and has been tested. In response, Samsung Electronics immediately sent home employees working on the same floor the previous day and instructed all employees to stay at home until the afternoon of the 23rd.

Hyundai Motor Company has again raised an emergency at its Ulsan Plant 1. The plant was temporarily closed after an employee of the first-tier supplier Seojin Industry died from COVID-19. Hyundai Motor Ulsan Plant 1 issued an urgent notice stating, "Lines 1 and 2 are being operated in 'gongpichi' mode (running the conveyor belt with empty vehicle assembly spots due to insufficient parts). Currently, there is 1.5 days of inventory, and a decision on continuing gongpichi operation or taking a day off will be made in the afternoon meeting." Hyundai Kia Motors is individually contacting employees who have visited overseas regions with multiple confirmed COVID-19 cases (such as Japan) as well as Daegu and Gyeongbuk, informing them about home quarantine periods and unpaid leave policies.

Hyundai Steel closed the floor of its Pohang plant after an employee tested positive and began disinfection. Twelve employees working in the same department were instructed to work from home and undergo testing. In addition, many employees across various companies are undergoing COVID-19 testing due to symptoms, raising growing concerns that a confirmed case could lead to a simultaneous shutdown of the entire manufacturing sector.

◆Mandatory mask-wearing and one-direction seating in cafeterias... TF response level also raised= As the government raised the infectious disease crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious,' companies have also swiftly increased their response levels through their internally formed task forces (TFs).

Samsung Electronics' COVID-19 emergency response TF sent an 'urgent notice' text message to all employees, mandating mask-wearing from that day onward when using commuting buses, entering or exiting workplaces, and using elevators. Employees without masks are not allowed to board the shuttle buses. Etiquette compliance is also requested when using on-site cafeterias. The manual includes specific guidelines such as mandatory mask-wearing while waiting for and receiving food, spaced seating, eating facing one direction without facing each other, and refraining from conversation during meals. Some affiliates have instructed pregnant employees to work from home.

LG Electronics, which has a four-level crisis response system according to internal regulations, upgraded to the highest 'serious' level over the weekend and informed all employees about prohibitions on business trips between workplaces. From that day, LG Electronics completely banned external visitors except for regular employees and on-site partner support staff. Regarding this, a letter was sent to logistics companies on the 21st requesting cooperation. Employees residing in Daegu but commuting to the Gumi plant were instructed to work from home, and production workers were granted leave. An LG Electronics official stated, "We are checking related equipment and networks to ensure smooth cloud access from outside in anticipation of increased telecommuting."

SK Group changed the method of measuring the body temperature of people entering affiliate buildings from thermal imaging cameras to individual measurements and partially modified the shared seating system to minimize employee movement. The restriction preventing reservations on the same floor for more than three days was lifted to encourage employees to sit on the same floor as much as possible. Additionally, to reduce contact with outsiders, flexible working hours were adjusted to start after 10 a.m. on that day.

POSCO has implemented additional preventive measures, including temporary closure of major internal and external recreational and welfare facilities since the 21st, beyond existing measures. Group training sessions for partner company employees have also been postponed or canceled.

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