Authorities: "Total 254 Confirmed Cases Related to Direct Sales... Direct Sales Promotion Centers Designated as High-Risk Facilities" (Update)

On the afternoon of the 21st, an official from Jung-gu Office in Daejeon is conducting disinfection at a multi-level marketing company in Oryu-dong, Jung-gu.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The number of COVID-19 cases related to door-to-door sales companies such as Richway in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, and Healing Land 23 in Daejeon continues to rise.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of noon on the 22nd, four additional contacts who were in quarantine related to the Richway cluster infection in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, tested positive, bringing the total number of cases to 198. Among them, 41 people directly visited the facility, and 157 are family members or other contacts.

Regarding the door-to-door sales company in Seo-gu, Daejeon, two new cases were added, increasing the total to 49. By region, Daejeon has the highest number with 34 cases, followed by Chungnam with 5, Seoul with 4, Jeonbuk and Sejong with 2 each, and Gwangju and Gyeonggi with 1 each.

According to authorities, the total number of cases related to door-to-door sales cluster infections, including Richway and NBS Partners in Seongnam, Seoul, Daejayeon Korea in Guro-gu, Seoul, and Natural Health Healing Center and Home Doctor in Daejeon, has reached 254. The health authorities have designated direct sales promotion centers such as multi-level marketing and sponsor door-to-door sales companies as high-risk facilities, judging that cluster infections are likely to occur within door-to-door sales companies.

At a briefing on the same day, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Disease Control Headquarters, explained, "They mainly operate through group training, various product promotion centers, and experience centers, where many visitors gather in poorly ventilated enclosed environments and engage in long conversations," adding, "In some events, singing or eating can create an environment where infection transmission through droplets is likely."

In particular, since the main visitors to door-to-door sales companies are middle-aged and elderly people, who are considered high-risk groups, there are concerns about casualties. According to authorities, among confirmed cases related to door-to-door sales, more than half, 140 people, are aged 60 or older.

With the recent designation as a high-risk facility, business owners, workers, and users of door-to-door sales companies must comply with core quarantine rules such as managing visitor logs, wearing masks, and disinfecting facilities starting from 6 p.m. on the 23rd. Failure to comply with quarantine rules will result in fines of up to 3 million won and a ban on gatherings according to relevant regulations. Head Jung emphasized, "There have been continuous cases of elderly infections through events that lure the elderly with free performances at health food or medical device product promotion centers, known as 'tteotdabang.' We urge the elderly to refrain from attending door-to-door sales-related events."

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