Yeongdeungpo-gu Overseas Entrants Complete Testing on Day of Arrival

With Cooperation from Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Nighttime Same-Day Testing System Established for Overseas Arrivals... Over 500 Tested by the 5th, Then Transported to Isolation Sites by Private Ambulance

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is gaining attention for establishing a special management system that conducts COVID-19 tests on all overseas arrivals on the day of entry and transports them to quarantine locations, the first among Seoul's autonomous districts.

Since April 1, the Central Disease Control Headquarters has issued guidelines mandating that all overseas arrivals undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing within 2 to 3 days of entry.

In response, starting April 10, the district collaborated with Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital to transport overseas arrivals arriving during nighttime hours when the district health center's screening clinic is closed to Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, enabling them to receive COVID-19 testing on the day of entry.

As a result, by August 5, the district completed same-day testing for approximately 500 nighttime overseas arrivals.

Additionally, after testing, the district uses eight private ambulances (six special vehicles and two general vehicles) to transport individuals to their homes or quarantine facilities, minimizing the risk of infection through contact with others.

The costs for nighttime and late-night testing as well as private ambulance transportation are fully covered by the district. This reflects the district's proactive response to COVID-19.

Currently, a self-quarantine notice is issued as a mandatory procedure to inform overseas arrivals of their quarantine obligations and procedures. This notice is issued twice: first at the airport quarantine station upon entry, and second at the district screening clinic to ensure accuracy.

For nighttime arrivals when the screening clinic is closed and same-day notice issuance is difficult, the district sends the quarantine notice as a photo file first to enable immediate self-quarantine. On the following day, district monitoring personnel deliver the original quarantine notice and a self-quarantine kit.

Amid increasing positive cases among overseas arrivals and arrivals from countries with strengthened quarantine measures, this district initiative reflects a commitment to concentrate administrative efforts on thorough preemptive management of overseas arrivals to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We will block risk factors in advance through same-day testing and prompt measures for nighttime overseas arrivals,” and added, “We will protect the lives and safety of our residents by establishing a flawless prevention management system.”

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