[Q&A] "'Walking Through' Clinics Are Up to 7 Times Faster Than Regular Clinics"

On the 19th, when the government expanded the special entry procedures to all incoming travelers worldwide to prevent the influx of COVID-19, passengers arriving on a passenger flight from Frankfurt, Germany, were undergoing the special entry procedures at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government announced that it is preparing measures to strengthen quarantine for arrivals from countries other than Europe to prevent the overseas inflow of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 23rd, "Although we judge that the risk level of other countries, including the United States, is not as high as Europe, we are closely monitoring the situation."

Yoon added, "Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also ordered at today's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting that it is necessary to prepare measures to strengthen quarantine for arrivals from regions other than Europe," and said, "We will announce the quarantine strengthening measures soon."

Additionally, on the first day of strengthened quarantine for arrivals from Europe, among the 1,442 arrivals yesterday, about 152 were symptomatic. Yoon said, "Arrivals showing suspicious symptoms undergo diagnostic tests at airport quarantine isolation facilities, while asymptomatic arrivals are moved to designated temporary living facilities to be tested and await results."

Even if the test result is 'negative,' Korean nationals or foreigners entering for long-term stay must undergo 14 days of self- or facility quarantine. Foreigners staying short-term are also subject to two weeks of active monitoring.

Meanwhile, to facilitate rapid diagnostic testing, about 40 'walking-through' screening clinics, where people can be tested while walking, will be installed at Incheon Airport starting from the 25th. Yoon stated, "By collecting specimens immediately upon arrival and then admitting individuals to temporary living facilities, we expect to reduce testing and result waiting times, thereby increasing the turnover rate of temporary living facilities."

◇Below is a Q&A with Yoon regarding strengthened quarantine for countries other than Europe

- Will comprehensive testing be conducted for arrivals from other countries such as the United States?

▲ Discussions are currently ongoing regarding that matter. Nothing has been decided yet.

- How will testing be conducted at the walking-through screening clinics?

▲ Patients enter a small booth where medical staff outside collect specimens while minimizing contact. The booth is disinfected, and the patient collects specimens in the adjacent booth. By continuously switching booths?one being disinfected while the other is used for specimen collection?testing that previously took about 30 minutes per person at a single screening clinic can now be done in 6 to 7 minutes per person. This method allows for testing 6 to 7 times faster than existing screening clinics, which is why it will be installed at Incheon International Airport.

- What is the average number of overseas arrivals per day?

▲ It varies daily. As of the previous day, a total of 9,298 people arrived. Among them, about 7,200 were Korean nationals and 2,500 were foreigners, with Koreans accounting for approximately 74%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.