Expansion of Local Government Home Treatment Centers... Admission Capacity Increased from 10,000 to 16,000

Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Full Effort to Overcome COVID-19
Early Special Tax Support for Temporary Screening Clinics Operation in January

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 7th that it will focus its efforts on increasing the capacity of residential treatment centers in local governments and providing early support through special grants to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

First, to detect asymptomatic infected individuals early, the ministry will provide early special grants within this month to local governments operating temporary screening clinics. Currently, there are 172 temporary screening clinics, and financial support will be provided to allow flexible operation according to the COVID-19 situation in each region.

In addition, besides the 59 residential treatment centers currently operated by local governments to exclusively care for asymptomatic and mild patients, additional standby facilities that can be immediately mobilized in case of emergency will be prepared.

The current capacity of these residential treatment centers is about 10,000 people, with approximately 4,000 actually admitted. Preparing for a rapid increase in confirmed cases, the ministry has secured 20 standby facilities nationwide that can accommodate an additional 6,000 people, which is 1.5 times the current number of admitted patients.

To ensure smooth COVID-19 vaccination starting in February at public health centers and vaccination centers, the ministry will support organization and personnel, and is also preparing a service that proactively informs the public of vaccination dates and locations through private apps for convenient access.

Furthermore, to respond to the employment downturn and consumption contraction at the beginning of the year, 4.5 trillion won out of the 15 trillion won planned for local love gift certificates will be issued in the first quarter and sold at a 10% discount. The local quarantine job project, which provides life quarantine jobs to vulnerable groups, aims to recruit all 8,620 participants by January and February.

Jeon Hae-cheol, Minister of the Interior and Safety, said, "With the determination to overcome COVID-19 early and restore the daily lives of the people as soon as possible, we will play a more active role throughout the entire response process, including testing, tracing, and treatment."

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