Has the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic Blunted the 'Quarantine Vigilance'?

Large Marts in Gwangju Operating 'Rest Areas' That Should Be Closed

Poor Management of Shared Items Like Shopping Carts and Tongs... Citizens Also Voice Criticism

On the 24th, a customer is resting in a seat set up on the first floor of Emart Gwangju branch. Photo by Jin-Hyung Park

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] While the entire country is suffering from COVID-19, with social distancing measures extended until the 5th of next month?level 4 in the metropolitan area and level 3 in non-metropolitan areas?the distribution industry in the Gwangju region is showing a ‘not my problem’ attitude.

In particular, large supermarkets employ hundreds of staff per branch and serve numerous customers, so even a small lapse could potentially lead to a large-scale outbreak, requiring caution.

On the afternoon of the 24th, at Emart Gwangju branch, customers tired from shopping were resting while drinking beverages under parasols and at three tables set up around the first-floor event area.

The long benches placed near the first-floor elevator and in front of the second-floor clothing store were also fully occupied, making it difficult to find empty seats.

This violates quarantine rules, which prohibit operating rest areas in marts from social distancing level 2 onwards.

The ‘2021 Social Distancing Revised Basic Quarantine Rules’ state that large distribution facilities such as large supermarkets, department stores, and complex shopping malls are prohibited from providing rest areas starting from level 2.

This is because such facilities are used by unspecified many people, making it difficult to identify users in case of a cluster infection, and to prevent prolonged stays that increase contact opportunities and duration with others.

It was confirmed that Emart Gwangju branch received corrective measures from the local district office for violating the quarantine guideline banning the use of rest areas.

There were also loopholes in quarantine compliance in the food section.

Customers pick bread with tongs and put it into bags as they please, but the problem is that tongs used once are being used by other customers without disinfection. This contrasts with buffet restaurants where hand sanitizers or hygiene gloves are used when serving food.

Since tongs touched with bare hands can be a vector for virus transmission, it is common practice to disinfect used tongs.

Issues were also found with shopping carts. Customers returned used carts to the storage area, and the next customers used them without disinfection.

Like the tongs, carts are shared items, revealing gaps in quarantine rules.

A customer met at the mart, Mr. Park, criticized, "The entire nation has led by example and earned the reputation of ‘K-Quarantine’ as a global model country, but the quarantine awareness of one of Korea’s leading distribution companies does not seem that high."

Moreover, voices are emerging that in Seogu District, given the serious COVID-19 situation, stronger measures such as fines should have been imposed rather than just ‘corrective actions.’

A Seogu official explained, "It is difficult to see this as a deliberate violation of quarantine guidelines, so instead of fines, a corrective order was issued on site."

An Emart official stated, "We placed chairs because some customers complained of leg pain," and added, "We will actively cooperate with the government’s quarantine guidelines going forward."

Meanwhile, the ‘quarantine score’ of Homeplus Donggwangju branch was not perfect either.

The government recommended refraining from singing and dance programs at cultural centers, but on that afternoon, a ‘Pilates’ class was scheduled.

The relevant official explained, "It is not an intense exercise, and the class is conducted while complying with quarantine rules such as wearing masks."

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr

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