Via the Korea Times: Retailers Put on Alert Over Flu. Excerpt:
With the number of H1N1 infected patients snowballing daily, local retailers are on their toes to make sure that the thousands of customers walking in and out of their stores don't catch or spread the highly-contagious virus.
But for some the giant shopping establishments, taking precautions against the flu means a whole new way of doing everyday business.
For example, Lotte Mart, the country's leading hypermarket chain, requires all employees nationwide to have their body temperature monitored every morning, before interacting with customers.
And once the day begins, those working in the ready-to-eat food stands must wear a mask and latex gloves to prevent any potential virus transmission.
Even more extensive measures to safeguard the public have been adopted by Lotte's rival, Shinsegae E-Mart. In addition to Lotte Mart's plan, Shinsegae E-Mart employees must disinfect all shopping carts, hand rails on stairways and store shelves at double the frequency of normal days.
"We need to do everything we can to prevent an outbreak happening in any of our stores," said an E-Mart spokeswoman, adding that the company will ramp up efforts even more should the Influenza A virus continue to spread rapidly.
More than 3,300 South Koreans have been infected with the H1N1 virus so far, according to government estimates.
