While health management has been strengthened through the implementation of the 4th stage of social distancing within Seoul metropolitan area, Shincheonji Volunteer Group's Eastern Seoul Branch has been carrying out COVID-19 prevention measures every Friday since September 2020 at 77 shopping centres in and around Junggye and Sanggye neighbourhoods, Nowon district, supporting small businesses affected most by COVID-19.

The majority of smaller, private businesses have been significantly affected by reduced profits resulting from the pandemic.

A business owner and beneficiary said, “I'm glad that Shincheonji Volunteer Group continues to provide a COVID-19 prevention service. I haven't been able to do business because of this pandemic, and having to work away from the office quarantining is not easy, so their work gives me strength.”

One SVG Eastern Seoul volunteer said, "I am grateful to be able to take this small step to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. It's been even more rewarding seeing small business owners clear up any misunderstandings they had about Shincheonji and to welcome them with open arms."

Mr. Young-joo Yoo, head of SVG's Eastern Seoul Branch, said, “I hope that volunteers' efforts will strengthen the local community so that we can all overcome COVID-19 as one."

Since September 2020, SVG has carried out a total of 57 voluntary activities in 278 locations nationwide, serving 296 small business owners.

In other Shincheonji-related news, 3741 congregants of Shincheonji Daegu Church, who had contracted Covid-19 and recovered, donated their blood plasma over three rounds in an effort to help develop treatment for COVID-19. Of this figure, 1561 donors donated their blood plasma more than twice. Mr. Jun-wook Kwon, Deputy Head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), expressed his gratitude to donors in person back in November 2020, saying, "This blood plasma donation by believers of Shincheonji Church, who have now recovered from COVID-19, will make an indelible contribution to overcoming this pandemic and, eventually, eradicate it. We hope that the voluntary and active example set by Shincheonji Church members today will serve as an example to all citizens". Earlier this year, the KDCA confirmed that it is expected to secure blood plasma treatment by the end of 2021; a step that could potentially alleviate the suffering of many Covid sufferers in Korea and beyond.

Shincheonji Volunteer Group will continue to put love for its neighbours into practice through various cultural and volunteer activities, having partnered with 72 national and international volunteer agencies to serve marginalised communities in Korea, improve road networks, implement environmental clean-up campaigns, cook and deliver homemade lunches and provide beauty services and mural painting.