Extension of Temporary Screening Centers Operation Period in the Seoul Metropolitan Area ... Testing Available After the 17th

Medical staff are collecting samples at a temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Station Plaza on the 14th, where the daily number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 remained in the 500s for the third consecutive day. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the same day, 524 new COVID-19 cases were reported, a decrease of 38 cases compared to 562 the previous day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The operation period of temporary screening clinics for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) installed in the Seoul metropolitan area will be extended.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 14th, "We plan to further extend the operation of temporary screening clinics," adding, "The number of clinics in operation and the extension period will be announced on the 16th, considering adjustments by local governments and the 'social distancing' level adjustments."

Since mid-November last year, as COVID-19 cases surged mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, temporary screening clinics were set up in areas with high foot traffic to proactively identify 'hidden infections' within the community.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters previously stated that temporary screening clinics would be extended until the 17th of this month, when the 'social distancing' levels (2.5 in the metropolitan area, 2 in non-metropolitan areas) are extended. The extension period is expected to coincide with the social distancing operation period applied after the 18th.

Currently, a total of 144 temporary screening clinics are operating in the metropolitan area: 56 in Seoul, 75 in Gyeonggi, and 13 in Incheon.

At the temporary screening clinics, anyone can receive anonymous testing by simply providing their mobile phone number, regardless of symptoms.

Since the 14th of last month, a total of 1,066,949 anonymous tests have been conducted at temporary screening clinics in the metropolitan area, of which 3,171 people tested positive and are receiving treatment.

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