Seoul, along with other local municipalities, is offering a helping hand to pharmacies struggling with increased workloads as they scramble to hand out government-rationed protective masks.

Since Monday a week ago, when nationwide rationing began, pharmacists have juggled the rationing responsibilities and their full-time job of dispensing prescriptions and counseling patients.

The rationing system involves a long line of work: Pharmacies have to check customers’ identification, answer their questions and keep records. The workload has caused major disruptions, especially at small pharmacies staffed by just one person or two.

To lighten the load, the Seoul Metropolitan Government began sending delegates to about 3,000 pharmacies in the city to help out with mask distribution. The helpers will work three hours a day for two weeks.

Gyeonggi Province has enlisted military assistance. Soldiers stationed there will provide extra labor for about 4,800 local pharmacies. Daejeon has followed suit. Civilian volunteers are lending a hand in other provinces and cities.

Meanwhile, the districts of Seocho and Yeongdeungpo in Seoul recommended that pharmacies set aside visiting hours for people looking to buy only masks to reduce delivery bottlenecks. Yeongdeungpo has started posting the hours on its website.

The government said it is seeking additional assistance to pharmacies run by a single owner.

“We’ve tracked down nearly 1,000 stores in the country, where the owner runs the shop alone. More help is on the way. We’ve heard from other ministries and volunteer groups hoping to lend a hand to them,” said an official at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)