"Spreading More After Suneung" ... Strengthened Quarantine Measures at Universities and Entrance Exam Academies

Seoul City Conducts Comprehensive Inspection of Quarantine Rule Compliance at Singing Rooms and PC Cafes
Free Preliminary Testing for College Entrance Exam Supervisors... Universities Also Prepare Separate Exam Sites for Self-Quarantined Examinees

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Amid the unprecedented situation of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was held, and the government and each city and province are tightening quarantine measures after the exam. There are concerns that the already critical level of COVID-19 spread could worsen as students who have finished the CSAT increase their outdoor activities, and interregional movement becomes active due to university essay and interview exams.

Seoul City will promote quarantine management and joint inspections of facilities through a cooperative system with 25 autonomous districts starting immediately after the CSAT on the 3rd. Until the end of this year, compliance with COVID-19 quarantine rules will be checked at three types of facilities: karaoke rooms, PC rooms, and movie theaters, and students are urged to be especially cautious when using these facilities.

The 'Seoul City Joint Task Force' team, launched on the 26th of last month, is currently conducting thorough inspections of restaurants, bakeries, entertainment facilities, private academies, and karaoke rooms around 44 universities.

In preparation for the possibility of COVID-19 spreading through the CSAT testing sites, Seoul City has also taken post-exam measures. Among 24,226 CSAT-related personnel, including supervisors and headquarters staff, those who wish will be offered free proactive COVID-19 testing.

Applicants can receive diagnostic tests at one of four screening clinics to be set up at the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Northern Education Support Office, Student Gymnasium, and the former Yeomgang Elementary School on the 4th and 5th, then spend the weekend working from home or resting. Since most of these CSAT supervisors are teachers at frontline schools, they can return to school after receiving a negative test result.

Supervisors who monitored confirmed COVID-19 positive students, students under self-quarantine, or symptomatic students can get tested at their school or local public health center.

Students who took the CSAT and their parents who wish to do so can also receive proactive COVID-19 testing. After applying on the Seoul City Hall website, free testing is available at seven municipal hospitals including Dongbu Hospital and Seonam Hospital.

The Ministry of Education initially planned to resolve the issue where most universities did not allow self-quarantined students to take university-specific exams due to COVID-19 by establishing separate university-specific exam centers in eight regions nationwide. Supervisors from each university will be dispatched to these centers to enable students to take their exams normally. However, there is still no adequate remedy for students who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Song Eun-cheol, Director of Infectious Disease Control at Seoul City, urged, "Even after the CSAT is over, students should refrain from gatherings and appointments for the safety of themselves, their families, and neighbors, and spend a healthy recharging time at home with their families rather than in public places or crowded facilities."

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