"Step 3 Must Be Prevented" Emergency Alert in the Distribution Industry

Rapid Spread of COVID-19 Last Week
5th Metropolitan Area Including Seoul to Enforce Mask Mandate
Department Stores Check Mask Wearing by Measuring Temperature
Olive Young Denies Service Without Mask
Franchise-Based Food Service Industry Reluctant, "Cannot Enforce"

On the afternoon of the 24th around 3 PM, I visited the Olive Young Myeongdong Main Store. Notices stating "No entry without wearing a mask" are posted at the store entrance and on the exterior walls.

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] In line with the elevation to social distancing level 2 and the mandatory mask-wearing measures, the distribution industry has strengthened quarantine-related guidelines. The industry is making every effort to prevent escalation to level 3, as the damage caused by level 2 measures alone has already been significant.

According to related industries on the 25th, following Seoul City's directive to mandate mask-wearing from 0:00 on the 24th, customer mask-wearing policies have been reinforced at large supermarkets, department stores, and premium outlets. This is the fifth case among metropolitan local governments, following Gyeonggi-do, Busan, Gwangju, and Daegu. If violations are detected, both the business and the violators may be fined for non-compliance with quarantine guidelines.

Department Store Employees Holding Thermometers

Convenience store CU has installed 'splash guards' on the shelves of over 14,000 stores nationwide.

On the 24th, in front of the passage connected to the underground food court of Shinsegae Department Store’s main branch, employees were holding thermometers and checking all customers for mask-wearing and temperature. An employee said, "Improper mask-wearing, such as hanging the mask on the chin, is strictly prohibited, and when found, we ask customers to wear their masks properly."

CJ Olive Young has also completely banned entry to customers without masks. Customers without masks are asked to purchase one and wear it before entering. If they refuse, they may be asked to leave. Beauty select shops Chicor and Nunk enforce mandatory mask-wearing for employees and recommend mask-wearing to customers.

At E-Mart, since the implementation of social distancing level 2 on the 16th, proactive disinfection is conducted once a week at most stores, including all logistics centers. Homeplus has installed distance guidance banners at store checkout counters and customer service centers. Shinsegae Premium Outlets began installing acrylic partitions on restaurant tables starting last weekend. The complex shopping mall Starfield stopped buffet operations after the level 2 elevation and increased disinfection of medium-risk facilities such as restaurants, arcades, and cinemas to twice daily. Large convenience store chains like GS25 and CU have installed transparent acrylic sneeze guards at franchise store counters and strengthened disinfection and sanitation efforts.

Food Service Industry Expresses Difficulty in Enforcement

On the other hand, food service companies have expressed reluctance. A representative from a food service company said, "While mandatory mask-wearing for employees has been in place for some time, the government guideline asking customers to only remove masks while eating and then put them back on is meaningless." Ediya, Lotteria, Kyochon Chicken, BBQ, and BHC have placed mask-wearing guidance stickers and management rules for customers and employees in stores, but the effectiveness is questionable.

Although the distribution industry is actively responding, experts point out that voluntary cooperation from customers is necessary to reduce the possibility of large-scale infections. At the Starbucks Yadang branch in Paju City, as of the 23rd, 64 confirmed cases were reported, but no infections occurred among employees who wore masks and gloves while working. A distribution industry official said, "It is said that infections occur through air circulation inside, but everyone must make efforts to comply with quarantine guidelines themselves to safely use the facilities."

Meanwhile, as there is a possibility of escalating to social distancing level 3, some places are hastening to prepare preemptive countermeasures. E-Mart is expanding weekly disinfection to all stores, closing the headquarters’ partner company consultation room currently operating at 50% capacity, and suspending group training. Homeplus is considering shifting headquarters staff to work from home in accordance with government recommendations.

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