Damyang-gun Promotes 'Alternative Meals' for Senior Cafeterias Suspended Due to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Choi Hyung-sik) announced on the 22nd that it is suspending operations of 68 senior citizen cafeterias in the area and promoting alternative meal services to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions.

The county is directly delivering side dishes (to 173 people), ramen, seaweed, bread (to 167 people), and lunch boxes (to 43 people) to 383 elderly people at risk of missing meals due to COVID-19, through local self-sufficiency centers and volunteer organizations.

In addition, for 600 elderly households not supported by alternative meal services, town and township officials and village heads check on their well-being once a day by phone and visits, and provide alternative meals linked to two hub meal centers in case of meal crises.

A county official said, “With the nationwide spread of COVID-19, the suspension of senior cafeterias used by elderly people vulnerable to infectious diseases raises concerns about welfare gaps,” adding, “We will do our best to continuously monitor living conditions and provide meticulous welfare services to ensure that no welfare gaps occur among vulnerable groups.”

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