Lotte Duty Free CEO Kap Lee.

Staff at Lotte Duty Free’s Seoul headquarters will work at home for a temporary period to minimise the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

All employees with the exception of a limited number required for emergency response duties are included in telecommuting from 28 February until 6 March. That period could be extended depending on the situation.

South Korea has suffered a surge in virus cases in the past week.

At the time of writing, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirmed 171 additional infections in the country today (27 February), lifting the number of confirmed cases from 1,595 to 1,766.

“Lotte Duty Free Shop is doing its best to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and [protect] the health of our customers and employees,” commented Lotte Duty Free CEO Kap Lee.

Source: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As reported, Lotte Duty Free assembled an emergency response committee last month chaired by Lotte Duty Free CEO Kap Lee to safeguard its employees and customers.

The South Korean travel retailer has reduced opening hours across its shops since early February and is conducting quarantining works at its stores on a daily basis, aside mandating all employees to wear protective masks. These are also provided to customers.