Support for Homeless People Facing Dual Hardships of Heatwave and COVID-19 in Jongno-gu

Special Protection Measures for Summer Homelessness to Continue Until September... 'Special Homeless Counseling Team' Operating in Subway Stations, Parks, Underground Walkways, Donuidong and Changsin-dong Goshiwon Areas... Patrols Conducted Twice Daily During Daytime and Thrice at Night for Guidance and Counseling

Fever screening for homeless people on the street in front of Bosingak last April

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Amid the ongoing heatwave, Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) is implementing special summer protection measures for the homeless from June to September to prevent safety accidents among socially vulnerable groups caused by the heatwave.

As part of this effort, the district operates a “Special Counseling Team for the Homeless” to thoroughly prepare for safety accidents involving homeless people and residents of jjokbang (small, cramped rooms) with poor living conditions, minimizing inconvenience to residents.

The main implementation period is from July to August, targeting locations such as subway stations, parks, underground walkways within the district, and jjokbang areas in Donui-dong and Changsin-dong.

During the day, one team of two members patrols more than twice a day, and at night, two teams totaling 12 members patrol more than three times a day to guide and counsel the homeless.

Through this, they provide information on shelters, counseling centers, and free clinics for homeless patients located throughout Seoul, and based on individual consent, offer support for self-reliance and employment placement information tailored to the homeless individuals’ characteristics.

Additionally, to prepare for the heatwave, they supply items such as ice water, fans, cool scarves, and cool arm sleeves, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, distribute masks, hand sanitizers, and COVID-19 prevention leaflets.

Jongno-gu has continuously supported jjokbang residents and street homeless people with portable hand sanitizers and masks since early this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

For street homeless people, who are relatively vulnerable to information, they check for fever symptoms and provide food supplies to those at risk of missing meals due to the suspension of meal services, demonstrating careful consideration.

Furthermore, the district disinfects the jjokbang areas in Donui-dong and Changsin-dong, where living conditions and hygiene are poor, at least once a week. The Donui-dong and Changsin-dong jjokbang counseling centers disinfect the building interiors daily. Residents visiting the counseling centers are also thoroughly informed about infectious disease prevention guidelines.

Kim Young-jong, Mayor of Jongno-gu, stated, “With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with the heatwave, there is concern about the double hardship faced by socially vulnerable groups. At times like these, it is crucial to prepare practical measures so that those in need can wisely overcome the crisis.” He added, “We will prepare various support measures to ensure that the homeless, jjokbang residents, and others can safely get through this summer and will strive to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

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