20,000 Employees, Telecom Call Centers Also on Alert "Remote Work Must Be Introduced"

KCC Emergency Inspection of Telecom Call Centers
Call Center Cluster Infections, Close Contact Work 'Blind Spot for Infectious Diseases'
Chairman Hansanghyeok "Call Center Remote Work Should Be Expanded"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] As more than 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have emerged from a call center in Guro-gu, Seoul, due to a 'cluster infection,' a telecommunications company call center employing about 20,000 people has also been put on high alert.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) urgently inspected the quarantine status of call centers of the three major telecom companies and requested the preparation of manuals to respond to cluster infections. KCC Chairman Han Sang-hyuk stated, "It is necessary to introduce a work-from-home system for call center counselors."

On the 11th, the KCC discussed the quarantine status of each company with the heads of customer centers of the telecom companies. Since call centers involve close-contact work, there is concern about cluster infections, requiring thorough quarantine measures. They first checked disinfection procedures and overall quarantine status, including the working conditions of counselors. A KCC official said, "We plan to prepare manuals in cooperation with telecom companies to prepare for potential cluster infection situations in the future."

Chairman Han Sang-hyuk urged, "Telecom companies should conduct thorough preventive activities for each customer center and strive to ensure counselors can work in a safe environment." He especially emphasized, "It is also necessary to review the introduction and expansion of work-from-home systems for counselors to prepare for situations similar to the current one." Currently, it is understood that about 20,000 counselors are working at telecom customer centers.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing that the cluster infection at the call center in Guro-gu, Seoul, could lead to a large-scale spread in the metropolitan area. As of midnight on the 11th, there are 90 confirmed cases linked to the Guro call center. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon stated, "(The Guro call center COVID-19 confirmed cases) include 62 in Seoul, 13 in Gyeonggi, and 15 in Incheon, making it the largest cluster infection case in Seoul."

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