[Coronavirus] Free OTT service proposed for quarantined people

By Park Sae-jin Posted : March 6, 2020, 14:48 Updated : March 6, 2020, 14:48

[Courtesy of Watcha]

SEOUL -- A free one-month over-the-top (OTT) service was proposed to relieve the mental stress of people who have isolated themselves at homes and special facilities for obligatory self-quarantine as suspected or confirmed patients infected with a novel coronavirus.

Vice health minister Kim Kang-lip told a regular briefing on Friday that the government is cooperating with Watcha, an OTT video-on-demand service operator, to provide free subscription service. He said that subscription in a web link format will be offered using QR codes and a designated app.

The health ministry puts those who show symptoms or are suspected of being infected with COVID-19 into self-quarantine for 14 days. They are subject to multiple checks by health officials through a designated smartphone app.

To avoid possible COVID-19 infection, many South Koreans stay at homes and watch OTT services. According to Watcha, the average weekend viewing time of users has increased by 36.8 percent on February 29 and March 1 from the weekend of January 18 and 19, just before the first case was reported.

 
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