"Don't Even Want to Touch Glasses" Office Workers Avoid Gatherings Amid COVID-19 Spread

20.3% of Office Workers Cancel Company Dinners Due to COVID-19
Health Authorities Urge "Avoid Gatherings, Company Dinners, and Travel When Possible"
Experts Advise "Refrain from Going Out and Avoid Events with Large Crowds"

Recently, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), more office workers are avoiding gatherings such as company dinners or meetings.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "These days, I don't even want to touch the drinking glass."

Office worker A (29) recently attended a company dinner and said this. A said, "With COVID-19 spreading these days, business trips are not happening, so how can there be a company dinner?" and added, "Even when there are guidelines to refrain from company dinners, people only take brief precautions." He continued, "The government is also advising to avoid crowded places and refrain from dinners and gatherings, so companies should follow suit."

Recently, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), more office workers are avoiding company dinners and gatherings. This is because of the high risk of infection through droplets.

Especially in company dinners, the risk of infection is higher because people talk at close distances or clink glasses that may have saliva on them, increasing workers' anxiety.

Experts advise refraining from going out as much as possible and avoiding events where many people gather.

Office worker B (27) said, "Everyone is sensitive because of COVID-19, so is it really necessary to have company dinners?" and added, "I think this is a time when we should be careful. I believe refraining from company dinners is the right thing to do." He also said, "Honestly, I'm worried about saliva on the drinking glasses," adding, "You never know when or where someone else's saliva might splash."

Office worker C (36), with five years of experience, said, "I've attended countless company dinners while working, but recently, going to company dinners is very scary," and added, "I think having company dinners in times like these is reckless."

Companies are also encouraging employees to refrain from holding company dinners. Photo by Yonhap News

Given this situation, companies are also encouraging employees to refrain from company dinners. Since the number of confirmed cases has exceeded 3,000, holding events where many people gather is considered risky.

According to a survey conducted by the employment portal Incruit on the 18th, targeting 661 office workers, 39.1% responded that their work methods have changed at least slightly due to COVID-19.

In particular, the rate of postponing or canceling overseas business trips (16.1%) and domestic business trips (13.2%) was 29.2%, ranking first. This was followed by company dinners (20.3%), internal meetings (16.3%), product launches and events (13.8%), showing a trend of canceling or refraining from events where many people gather.

On the other hand, some say, "It's not like you get COVID-19 just because of company dinners, isn't this an overreaction?" and "Creating a fearful atmosphere is not good either."

Office worker D (30) said, "There's no guarantee you'll get COVID-19 just because you have a company dinner, but people are reacting too strongly," and added, "Seeing those people, it feels like they're creating a fearful atmosphere, which is unpleasant." He further said, "In some ways, it seems like an overreaction."

The government is also recommending postponing or canceling one-time or event-based gatherings with large crowds to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Photo by Yonhap News

Experts urge reducing personal contact and wearing masks even in indoor spaces.

Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 19th and said, "Infection spreads especially when you are close to a confirmed case and show respiratory symptoms," adding, "When you have to leave a confined space, you should wear a mask and thoroughly practice personal hygiene such as hand washing."

The government also recommended postponing or canceling events where many people gather to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Kim Kang-rip, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 26th, "We recommend postponing or canceling events in confined and crowded spaces, outdoor events where crowding can lead to droplet transmission or physical contact, and events targeting many vulnerable groups." He emphasized, "Please also refrain from private gatherings with low urgency and necessity, such as social gatherings, company dinners, and trips."

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