Ministry of Justice: "All 1,065 Foreign Detainees in 18 Protection Facilities Test Negative"

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The Ministry of Justice announced on the 10th that all foreign nationals, including illegal immigrants under protection, tested negative in the COVID-19 diagnostic tests conducted.

Previously, from the 4th to the 7th, the Ministry of Justice conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on 1,065 foreigners detained in 18 foreigner protection facilities. This comprehensive survey was carried out with the cooperation of health authorities.

Given the high risk of COVID-19 spread in group detention facilities, since the 6th, PCR tests have also been conducted on all staff members, including protection facility employees, social service agents, and security guards. As of 2 p.m. on the day, 907 protection facility workers were tested, with 797 confirmed negative and the remaining 110 awaiting results.

Currently, foreigners newly admitted to protection facilities are quarantined for one week, then undergo a first PCR test; only those confirmed negative are transferred to the shelter. Within the shelter, they are quarantined for another 7 days, followed by a second PCR test using group sample testing called "pool testing." Only after testing negative in both tests are they moved to the general protection rooms.

Additionally, the Ministry of Justice reported that to prevent group infections among foreigners in protection facilities, the number of masks provided per person per week has been increased from 2 to 3 since the 5th.

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