Gyeonggi-do to Conduct 'COVID Testing' at Night and on Holidays Starting from the 26th

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has decided to extend COVID-19 diagnostic testing hours into the night and on holidays due to a surge in demand for testing centered around the Seoul metropolitan area.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 25th that starting from the 26th, it will extend testing hours at a total of 52 diagnostic testing institutions, including 46 public health centers in the province and six screening clinics affiliated with Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center, and sent official letters to each institution on the same day.

This extension of testing hours follows the directive of Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province.

The governor previously stated via his social media (SNS) that he had received public opinions proposing extended operating hours for screening clinics and instructed the relevant departments to review the feasibility of implementing this.

According to this measure, on weekdays, testing hours, which were until 6 p.m., will be extended to 9 p.m., and weekend testing, which was either not conducted or only available until 1 p.m., will now be conducted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The extended testing will continue until the social distancing level is lowered to Level 1. The principle is to conduct same-day testing for those who register (wait) on the same day to ensure a prompt response.

On the 18th, Governor Lee held an emergency press conference and issued an administrative order for diagnostic testing targeting Gyeonggi residents who attended the Sarang Jeil Church event in the province or the Gwanghwamun rallies on the 8th and 15th.

Additionally, even if they did not participate in the rallies, Gyeonggi residents who simply visited or passed by the rally sites were allowed to receive free diagnostic testing.

Accordingly, those who fall under these cases can receive diagnostic testing free of charge.

A provincial official stated, "If the number of people waiting for tests surges, we plan to flexibly extend testing hours without work hour restrictions to ensure rapid testing," and urged, "Even if you are not eligible for free testing, if you suspect symptoms, do not hesitate to get tested." However, if you have not been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient or are not subject to the administrative testing order, a nominal testing fee may be charged.

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