Samsung finally issues 'travel ban'... Major corporations' quarantine guidelines are Level 3 + α

Samsung Electronics COVID-19 Response TF Employee Notice... Temporary Measures from the 16th to Year-End
Ban on Use of Multi-Use Facilities Such as Travel, External Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars, Suspension of In-House Food and Beverage Sales Facilities, Complete Ban on Meetings Within Workplaces... High-Intensity Quarantine Guidelines Equivalent to Movement Restrictions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyewon Kim and Heungsun Kim] As the number of new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) again exceeded 1,000 per day, major conglomerates have initiated their own quarantine systems equivalent to social distancing level 3 or higher.

According to the business community on the 16th, Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (DS) Division's COVID-19 response task force (TF) announced five quarantine rules within the company the previous afternoon, focusing on banning the use of multi-use facilities where masks are removed, such as travel, off-site cafeterias, cafes, and pubs. While many domestic conglomerates have banned year-end gatherings or company dinners, Samsung Electronics is the first to issue an individual travel ban.

Samsung Electronics stated, "Recent confirmed cases show infections occurred in situations where masks were briefly removed, such as using external restaurants, traveling, or contact with family or acquaintances," adding, "After careful consideration, we intend to implement strengthened standards temporarily from the 16th until the end of the year to prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19."

Samsung Electronics' new quarantine guidelines, which are practically equivalent to a movement restriction order excluding commuting routes, are evaluated as a preemptive response much stronger than the COVID-19 related 'K-quarantine' measures. From this day, Samsung Electronics suspended the operation of food and beverage sales facilities within the company, such as cafes, convenience stores, and bakeries where many people gather. Takeout food is only allowed to be eaten in the company cafeteria, and eating outside the cafeteria, such as in offices or lounges, is prohibited. Meetings within the workplace are completely banned, and movement between workplaces is also restricted.

Besides Samsung, major conglomerates such as Hyundai Kia Motors, SK, LG, and POSCO have strengthened internal quarantine guidelines in line with the government's social distancing level 3. Upon escalation to level 3, they plan to immediately implement strong follow-up measures including remote work for all employees except essential personnel, staying at home, a complete ban on the use of multi-use and 3C (crowded, closed, close-contact) facilities, prohibition of travel to other regions, and banning internal and external appointments.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the same day, 1,078 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported as of midnight, surpassing 1,000 again for the first time in three days since the 13th (1,030 cases). This is the highest daily number since the first patient was confirmed in Korea on January 20. The average daily number of locally transmitted cases over the past week also exceeded 800 for the first time, reaching 832.6. This meets the criteria for raising social distancing to level 3 (nationwide 800?1,000 or more cases or rapid doubling, etc.).

As new confirmed cases surged around 1,000, deaths and critically ill patients also increased. The death toll was 12, marking two consecutive days of double digits following the previous day’s 13. The cumulative death toll reached 612, with a domestic average fatality rate of 1.35%. The number of critically ill patients also rose by 21 from the previous day to 226.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting that day, "Securing hospital beds is the top priority in quarantine now," and urged, "The Central Accident Response Headquarters should communicate closely with the medical community to secure as many beds as possible and cooperate with local governments to check and recheck the bed operation status almost in real time."

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