Seongdong-gu to Fully Reopen 160 Senior Centers Starting from the 14th

As of the 12th, 16,230 seniors aged 75 and over have received at least one vaccination dose, achieving a high vaccination rate of 83.8%... Senior centers operate to alleviate prolonged emotional isolation and restore psychological stability due to the closure of elderly welfare facilities.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) will fully resume operations of 160 local senior centers that had been closed since mid-November last year, starting from the 14th.

As of the 12th of this month, among seniors aged 75 and older, 16,230 have received at least one vaccination dose, achieving a high vaccination rate of 83.8%. To alleviate the emotional isolation and restore psychological stability of seniors caused by the prolonged closure of elderly leisure and welfare facilities, the district decided to reopen the senior centers.

Use is limited to seniors who have completed vaccination or are at least two weeks past their first dose, and operating hours are from 1 PM to 5 PM on weekdays.

Before the full reopening, the district disinfected the senior center facilities and conducted pest control through a professional disinfection company. Staff from the district office and local community centers visited the centers in advance to inspect air conditioners and air purifiers. They also carefully prepared disinfection supplies such as hand sanitizers and thermometers to welcome the seniors.

Additionally, 29,000 masks, 300 self-produced posters, visitor logs, and usage guidelines were distributed to the senior centers. Notices were delivered to 320 senior center presidents and treasurers, who serve as disinfection management officers, and were sent again via text messages to thoroughly inform them about the disinfection rules.

When operations begin at 1 PM on the 14th, members must bring their vaccination certificates. Seniors who have completed vaccination will wear safety badges produced and distributed by the district. After verification by the disinfection management officer, they will enter by filling out their personal information in the visitor log.

Furthermore, programs at senior welfare centers will also be revitalized. At the Seongsu 1-ga 2-dong Senior Welfare Center, two classes?life gardening and hand knitting workshops?will be held to coincide with the reopening of the senior centers.

Starting in July, four other locations will expand their existing small-scale, non-contact, and non-active programs such as smartphone use, calligraphy, and humanities classes (limited to fewer than 10 participants) into active face-to-face programs. Approximately 140 programs including singing, dance, table tennis, and musical instrument lessons will be offered to actively support seniors’ return to daily life.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “I hope seniors enjoy their time at the senior centers and welfare centers, strengthening friendships and sharing stories they couldn’t before.” He expressed gratitude, saying, “This is possible because seniors actively participated in vaccination.” He also appealed, “We ask unvaccinated seniors to get vaccinated promptly and join in the recovery of daily life.”

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