In the Heat, Moon Visits Screening Clinic: "So Citizens Getting Tested Can Escape the Heat"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in, who visited a temporary screening clinic located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul amid the heatwave, urged that measures be taken to help citizens undergoing tests avoid the heat.

The Blue House stated that on the morning of the 18th, President Moon visited the 'Samsung Station COVID-19 Temporary Screening Clinic' in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to inspect the quarantine site and encourage the medical staff. The visit was conducted with a minimal number of aides to avoid burdening the site.

President Moon said, "I came to the site to directly observe the difficulties faced by medical personnel who are on the front lines of COVID-19 response amid the heatwave," touring the testing site and rest area while conversing with officials.

When President Moon said, "Seeing the medical staff drenched in sweat is truly pitiful and heartbreaking," and asked, "If there are any shortcomings, please tell me anything," an official replied, "The hot weather is the most challenging part."

In response, President Moon asked Gangnam-gu Mayor Jung Soon-gyun and Gangnam-gu Health Center Director Yang Oh-seung, "It is hot now, but since temperatures are expected to rise close to 40 degrees Celsius, please thoroughly prepare heatwave countermeasures."

He also said, "Please take maximum measures so that citizens getting tested at the temporary screening clinic can avoid the heat," personally inspecting the condition of the sunshades installed at the clinic. After confirming whether ice vests were being distributed, he even tried wearing a 'neck fan' himself.

Local governments had previously announced that they would distribute ice vests, cool scarves, neck fans, and other items to help medical staff and support personnel cool down.

President Moon also showed interest in the rest conditions for medical personnel. After touring the rest area made by converting containers, he said, "Although air conditioning is installed in the tent-type temporary screening clinic, there are limits, so stable cooling in the rest area is essential to ensure medical staff can rest properly during breaks." He also asked, "To reduce medical staff fatigue, personnel rotation must occur frequently. Besides police and military personnel, I am curious about the support status for personnel conducting tests and epidemiological investigations."

Mayor Jung replied, "The district office is utilizing as much personnel as possible and cooperating with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, the central government, and Seoul City." Health Center Director Yang reported, "Currently, we do not perform manual work one by one; by simply scanning a QR code, the process from questionnaire to testing can be done quickly. During the Hyundai Department Store incident, we conducted tests on up to 10,000 people."

After completing the visit, President Moon said, "Although these are difficult times, thanks to your dedication, the people are overcoming this together." He added, "You worked hard last summer as well, and it is truly regrettable as president that this is happening again this year. Let us overcome this together and decisively once more."

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