One Government Seoul Office Employee Confirmed Positive - First Case at Seoul Office... 3rd Floor of Main Building Closed

Personal Information Protection Commission Staff... Tested Positive After Mother's Confirmation
50 Commission Staff Leave Early... Emergency Disinfection of Entire Floor Including Briefing Room and Press Room

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] An official working at the Seoul Gwanghwamun Government Seoul Office tested positive for COVID-19 on the 24th, prompting an emergency disinfection of the entire building. As this was the first confirmed case among Seoul Office workers, about 50 colleagues from the committee were sent home early.

According to the Government Office Management Headquarters Seoul Office Management Office, employee A from the Personal Information Protection Commission, located on the 3rd floor of the main building of the Jongno-gu Government Seoul Office, tested positive for COVID-19 in the afternoon.

Previously, in March, there was a cluster of confirmed cases centered around Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries employees at the Government Sejong Office, but this is the first confirmed case among workers at the Government Seoul Office. The Government Seoul Office is classified as a 'Grade A' important facility, the highest level of importance affecting national security.

A underwent testing after their mother tested positive for COVID-19 that day. Living with their mother, A had taken leave from work since the previous day due to suspected symptoms such as fever.

Upon receiving the news of A’s positive test, the Seoul Office Management Headquarters and the Personal Information Protection Commission sent about 50 committee employees home early and temporarily closed the entire 3rd floor. Additionally, journalists and staff in the Government Joint Briefing Room, Financial Services Commission Press Room, and Spokesperson’s Office, all located on the same floor, were evacuated and emergency disinfection was conducted.

A Financial Services Commission briefing was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the Joint Briefing Room, but it was switched to an online briefing just before it started due to disinfection measures.

The Seoul Office Management Office plans to conduct intensive disinfection of the entire main building, focusing on common areas such as elevators and the cafeteria, and will ventilate the building over the weekend for two days.

Separately from the epidemiological investigation by health authorities, the confirmed individual’s movements will be tracked via closed-circuit television (CCTV), and contacts will be identified and instructed to undergo testing.

The Personal Information Protection Commission has instructed employees to get tested immediately after leaving work. Employees classified as close contacts based on the epidemiological investigation will enter a 14-day self-quarantine, the commission explained.

A Seoul Office Management Office official stated, "Facilities can be used one day after disinfection, so except for the 3rd floor, other facilities will be available for normal use starting next Monday. However, reopening the 3rd floor depends on the results of the epidemiological investigation."

The official added, "The number of contacts will depend on the epidemiological investigation results, but the Personal Information Protection Commission uses the south side of the main building, while the Joint Briefing Room and Financial Services Commission Press Room, which see many external visitors, are on the north side, so their movement paths differ."

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