Prime Minister Jeong: "Special Transport for Iraq Workers Exposed to COVID-19 to Begin Next Week"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The government will begin special transportation as early as next week to expedite the return of Korean workers at construction sites in Iraq who are exposed to the risk of infection from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 17th, "A significant number of recent confirmed cases are workers employed at construction sites in Iraq contracted by our companies," adding, "The government has decided to start special transportation as early as next week to assist their prompt return."

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "Currently, Iraq is experiencing a fierce spread of COVID-19 with over 2,000 confirmed cases daily," and "It is the fundamental duty of the state to protect the safety and health of our workers who work far from their families and are exposed to infectious disease threats for the national interest."

He continued, "Some workers have already returned via charter flights, but about 800 more remain," and instructed, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and other related ministries should take lessons from the transportation experiences of residents from Wuhan and Italy to ensure no negligence in transportation, quarantine, isolation, treatment, and other administrative and medical support."

Prime Minister Chung pointed out, "Two weeks ago, the government clearly presented the stages of social distancing and allowed differential application by region," adding, "Although there were achievements in suppressing the spread of COVID-19 through active stage elevation in Gwangju and Jeonnam, the detailed criteria for local governments to confidently decide on stage adjustments were unclear."

He also urged, "Each local government should refer to the proposed criteria and flexibly adjust social distancing stages according to the regional spread situation as needed."

Prime Minister Chung noted, "Concerns about so-called 'Corona Blue,' including depression, insomnia, and panic disorder, are increasing due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," mentioning, "A recent survey of Daegu citizens showed that about 75% of respondents experienced anxiety or depression."

He added, "The government must carefully manage not only virus prevention but also the psychological quarantine of the people," and ordered, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare and related ministries should review the measures implemented so far and examine whether any improvements are needed."

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