Seocho-gu, Gradual Reopening of Senior Welfare Facilities Amid Thorough Quarantine Measures

Resumption of Operations from July 27 at Three Senior Welfare Centers (Yangjae, Bangbae, Seocho Jungang) and Three Netinamu Shelters (Seocho, Yangjae, Naegok)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) resumed operations of three senior welfare centers (Yangjae, Bangbae, Seocho Jungang) and three Nutinamu rest areas (Seocho, Yangjae, Naegok) starting July 27.

Gradually, cooling shelters opened on July 27, senior cafeterias offering free meals began operating from August 3, and from August 18, small-scale non-contact, non-physical programs with up to 10 participants will be conducted.

The Nutinamu Centers and senior welfare centers in the area have been representative senior complex leisure and cultural facilities where elderly residents enjoy leisure activities, learn various programs, and communicate. However, since seniors, who are vulnerable to infectious diseases, are the main users, these facilities have remained closed since February when COVID-19 began spreading domestically.

However, following the recent easing of social distancing and the government’s policy to resume facility operations, senior facilities have reopened. Cooling shelters to prepare for the summer heat and senior cafeterias for free meal recipients are prioritized to support vulnerable elderly residents to stay healthier during the summer.

The district has installed ‘AI non-contact facial recognition thermometers’ at all six senior facilities to establish a thorough daily quarantine system against COVID-19.

The AI non-contact facial recognition thermometer uses an AI system to recognize faces and measure temperature without contact, also checking whether masks are worn.

If the temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees Celsius, an alarm sound and voice guidance message are issued. Information such as the visitor’s face, temperature, and visit date and time is also stored, which can greatly assist accurate epidemiological investigations in case of confirmed cases.

Additionally, each senior facility has designated a quarantine manager responsible for electronic entry log creation, facility disinfection, securing quarantine supplies, and thoroughly establishing the quarantine system. In senior cafeterias, acrylic partitions have been installed, and meals are served at 30-minute intervals to prepare for any possible infections.

During the COVID-19 closure, local senior welfare facilities operated over 170 diverse online lectures including culture, informatization education, language, and exercise through the ‘Seocho Halmahalppai Story’ YouTube channel.

On July 24, an interactive talk concert titled ‘Pungsujiri Story’ was held at the Nutinamu rest area using YouTube live streaming, receiving great responses.

From August 3, the Central Senior Welfare Center plans to conduct video classes using ZOOM for up to 20 participants in seven courses including language, Korean popular songs, and poetry creation.

From August 18, six senior facilities will resume lectures for non-physical programs such as Chinese language and English ink painting classes with small groups of up to 10 people.

Physical activities or singing programs that may involve close contact will be operated depending on the COVID-19 situation in the future.

Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo stated, “In the era where COVID-19 has become part of daily life, we will strive to establish a more thorough daily quarantine system so that our seniors can enjoy cultural and leisure activities with peace of mind.”

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