'Ticking Time Bomb'... The Foreseen COVID-19 at Coupang Logistics Center

Following Bucheon, Goyang Logistics Center Also Closed Due to Confirmed COVID-19 Cases

Bucheon Coupang Logistics Center (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Cheol-hyun, Kim Hee-yoon, Moon Hye-won] Concerns are growing over the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related to logistics centers as confirmed cases have emerged not only at Coupang's Bucheon logistics center but also at the Goyang logistics center. There have been continuous criticisms that the working environments in logistics centers have been vulnerable to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

On the 28th, Coupang announced that a white-collar employee at the Goyang logistics center tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the complete closure of the Goyang logistics center and that they are working with health authorities to take necessary measures. The employee is an office worker at Coupang's Goyang logistics center and was last at work on the 26th of this month. Upon confirmation of the employee's positive test, Coupang immediately sent home and placed in self-quarantine all employees who had contact with the confirmed case. Additionally, on the 28th, all employees scheduled to work were sent text messages informing them of the closure of the Goyang logistics center and advising them to stay home. Coupang plans to continue providing necessary guidance and support to employees depending on future developments.

However, public opinion is boiling over. The working environment in logistics centers is being described as a predicted "time bomb" for the spread of COVID-19. Reviewing posts on social networking services (SNS) on the 27th reveals the vulnerabilities in the structure of Coupang's logistics centers. A person using the pseudonym Yoon Soo-hee stated, "Many employees at that huge center endlessly wait for the small elevator. Those who give up and walk end up out of breath and take off their masks while walking up. The stairs are narrow too."

Another person, Choi Moon-il (pseudonym), said, "If you actually visit the (Bucheon logistics center), to handle that large volume of goods, many COVID-19 prevention rules inevitably cannot be followed. Not wearing masks to some extent is unavoidable. Since it is a refrigerated and frozen warehouse, the noise from cooling devices, rails, and scanning sounds means that even if you shout, you can't hear what is being said, and wearing masks makes it even harder to hear." Choi also shared a text message on Twitter showing a negative COVID-19 test result from a health center.

Within the industry, there are also criticisms of Coupang's initial response. An industry insider said, "When a COVID-19 case emerges, the usual protocol is to immediately close and shut down the facility entirely." Among Coupang members, voices expressing intentions to refrain from ordering for the time being are increasing. Coupang member Lee Ji-young (pseudonym) said, "I order almost every day, but I will refrain for a while." Another Coupang customer, Kim Ho-sik (pseudonym), said, "When I inquired with the company, they reassured me that since the logistics centers are different, items do not get mixed, but I still feel uneasy."

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