Seongdong-gu Operates Outdoor Heat Relief Shelters

18 Outdoor Heatwave Shelters and 37 Shade Tents Installed... 33 'Heatwave Safe Rooms' Operated for Vulnerable Housing Groups

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongdong-gu (District Mayor Jung Won-oh) will operate outdoor heat relief shelters and heatwave safety accommodations in full force to prepare for the emergency situation caused by this summer's record-breaking heatwave forecast and the suspension of heat relief shelters due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

At the end of last month, the highest heatwave in 62 years was recorded as of late June, raising an alarm for vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone to survive the summer.

With 248 heat relief shelters, which served as refuges from the midsummer heat, completely suspended due to COVID-19, the district decided to operate outdoor heat relief shelters at major locations in each neighborhood, including along the Jungnangcheon Stream.

From the 7th, 17 locations in each neighborhood will have shade tents installed in small parks and under tree shades easily accessible to residents, equipped with fans, hand sanitizers, and disinfectant solutions, operating as ‘Our Neighborhood Outdoor Heat Relief Shelters.’

Starting from the 10th, 20 Mongolian tents will be installed at the grass picnic area along Jungnangcheon Stream. The tents will be installed with a distance of more than 5 meters between them, with a maximum of 4 people per family allowed per tent, and usage hours until 10 PM.

From July 20 to August 10, during the tropical night period, ‘Heatwave Safety Accommodations’ will be provided for elderly residents living in vulnerable housing environments such as rooftops or semi-basements.

Due to the decrease in tourists caused by COVID-19, 33 rooms have been secured across 6 lodging facilities in 4 zones within the district.

The service targets elderly living alone aged 60 or older, elderly couples aged 75 or older, basic livelihood security recipients, or lower-income groups, with pre-registration accepted via phone or in-person at community centers from the 8th to the 15th.

Earlier, on the 16th, the district completed delivering cooling supplies such as cool mats, portable fans, and rayon underwear to 500 elderly living alone in poor housing conditions, and additionally provided personalized services including mosquito net installation and support for overdue electricity bills.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “We will establish thorough heatwave countermeasures so that vulnerable groups such as the elderly suffering from the double hardship of COVID-19 and heat can safely get through the summer,” and added, “We ask that you practice social distancing, including wearing masks, even when using outdoor heat relief shelters.”

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