Coronavirus Outbreak in South Korea
Coronavirus Outbreak in South Korea
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continue to spread worldwide, South Korea now has the second most cases in the world, the biggest outbreak outside of China. According to the Korea Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (KCDC) Report, the number of COVID-19 infection cases soared to 2022 and the death toll has risen to thirteen (as of Thursday February 28th, 2020).
（Picture from：Time-weekly.com）
Virus Alert Rating - Serious Level
The rapid surge of COVID-19 cases has promoted South Korea government to raise its Four-Level virus alert rating to the highest level - Serious Level. With the vast majority of the cases identified in Daegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, the South Korea government declared the two areas as “Infectious Disease Special Control Areas” and started to implement the anti-epidemic measures.
Canceled Events
Many planned governmental, social and entertainment events, such as the Plenary Session of Congress planned on Feb. 25th, Korea Football League, concerts, etc. have been canceled. The South Korea Education Ministry ordered all preschools, primary and secondary schools nationwide to postpone the opening day of the first semester by one week to March 9th, 2020.
Impacts to Multinational Conglomerates
Many South Korean multinational conglomerates such as Samsung, LG, SK, etc. were impacted by the spread of the virus in the country. Samsung Electronics smartphone production facility in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, LG Research Centre and the chipmaker SK Hynix headquarter in Incheon City all reported employees either infected with COVID-19 or employees who had close contacts with infected individuals. These employees were ordered to self-quarantine in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace.
Response Guidelines for COVID-19 Emergency
The KCDC has imposed and updated more than ten COVID-19 emergency response guidelines for different organizations and institutes, including COVID-19 Emergency Response Guideline for Local Government, (6th revision), COVID-19 Emergency Response Guideline for Medical Institutions, Special Countermeasures of COVID-19 related Medical Wastes, and COVID-19 Emergency Response Guideline for Industrial Facilities (February 25th, 2020). In particular, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Guideline for Industrial Facilities provides instructions in the following areas:
1. How to improve employee personal hygiene, cleaning and disinfection in the workplace;
2. Infection prevention both outside and inside of the workplace;
3. Dealing with the suspected cases and infected cases;
4. Developing designated COVID-19 prevention and control system and emergency response plan for facility shutdowns.