Nationwide Inspection of Distribution and Logistics Centers... Government to Establish Separate Quarantine Guidelines (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Regular Briefing
"Comprehensive Inspection of 32 Sites Nationwide Except 3 Closed Locations"... Confirming Compliance with Quarantine Guidelines

In front of the refrigerated center in the basement of Jangji-dong Seoul Complex Logistics Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government has decided to inspect all 32 logistics centers operated by online distribution companies nationwide by the 1st of next month. This decision comes from the judgment that quarantine management has not been properly maintained, following multiple confirmed COVID-19 cases at the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Separate guidelines reflecting the characteristics of logistics facilities and workplaces will also be issued.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 29th, a total of 96 confirmed cases related to the Coupang logistics center had been identified by that morning. Since the first patient was confirmed on the 23rd, the number has nearly reached 100 in less than a week. Among them, 70 were infected directly after visiting the center as employees or others, and the remaining 26 are secondary or subsequent infections among family members and acquaintances due to contact.

Although epidemiological investigations are still ongoing, the government believes that the large-scale cluster infection occurred because many basic quarantine rules were not followed. Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing, "Contact has been identified at other workplaces such as logistics centers and call centers," adding, "Considering the population density and movement volume in the metropolitan area, if this outbreak is not contained early, there is a risk it could lead to a large-scale epidemic."

After confirming the cluster infection at the Coupang logistics center, the government conducted an emergency on-site inspection yesterday at three distribution logistics centers in cooperation with related ministries and local governments. The inspection checked whether daily quarantine guidelines were properly followed and listened to difficulties encountered in adhering to quarantine rules.

Furthermore, the government plans to inspect compliance with quarantine guidelines at the remaining 32 logistics centers, excluding the three that were closed due to confirmed cases. Special focus will be placed on measures such as "not going to work when sick," appointing quarantine and monitoring officers, and wearing masks when maintaining distance is difficult. Kim, the General Coordinator, said, "We will improve and supplement any deficiencies found during the inspections and implement strengthened quarantine measures suitable for the distribution logistics center environment in cooperation with the industry," adding, "We will prepare detailed quarantine guidelines that appropriately reflect the characteristics of logistics facilities within today."

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