Gwangjin-gu Distributes Additional 2.9 Million Masks to Vulnerable Groups, Small Business Owners, and Religious Facilities

Distributed a total of approximately 7.7 million masks during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd COVID-19 crisis moments

Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, putting a mask on an elderly person

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Seon-gap) is proactively distributing masks to vulnerable groups starting early November in response to experts' predictions of a COVID-19 winter surge.

This additional mask support is being implemented based on the judgment that mask-wearing is the top priority, as the proportion of patients with unknown infection routes is increasing and sporadic small-scale infections are occurring across various sectors without distinction.

Distribution of a total of approximately 2.9 million masks to vulnerable groups and small business owners

The district plans to deliver a total of about 2.9 million masks by the end of December, providing masks to vulnerable groups, people with disabilities, seniors aged 65 and over, and other target groups to ensure thorough prevention within a tight quarantine system.

In particular, masks were distributed to academies, study rooms, and study cafes where many people may gather ahead of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), supporting high school seniors facing the exam during these difficult times.

Additionally, masks were provided to small business owners to encourage them amid the prolonged COVID-19 economic crisis and to urge compliance with preventive measures.

Along with this, masks were also delivered to the Gwangjin Police Station and Fire Station, who have maintained dedicated volunteer work and an organic cooperation system to prevent the spread of local COVID-19 infections, as a token of gratitude.

The district plans to select functionally vulnerable places where group infections are a concern, such as medical institutions, nursing hospitals, senior centers, and local children’s centers, and distribute additional masks by December.

Distributed a total of approximately 7.7 million masks by providing masks at every COVID-19 crisis moment

Earlier, at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the district delivered masks to religious facilities and facilities related to children and seniors. In April, when mask shortages occurred, they collaborated with local sewing cooperatives to produce and quickly distribute ‘National Safety Cotton Masks’ to help struggling sewing companies.

Furthermore, during the start of the second wave of COVID-19 in August, the district distributed about 2 million masks, including 5 dental masks per household and 3 KFAD masks per person, providing masks at every critical moment and completing a total distribution of approximately 7.7 million masks to date.

Through such thorough quarantine systems and proactive measures, Gwangjin-gu has prevented local group infections and maintains one of the lowest numbers of confirmed cases among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, stated, “Currently, without vaccines, social distancing and mask-wearing are the best preventive measures and the only way to protect not only your family but also your loved ones. As the number of patients with unknown infection routes continues to rise, no one knows when or where they might be infected, so I hope everyone makes mask-wearing and compliance with quarantine rules a daily habit.”

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