Seoul Extends Operation of Temporary Screening Clinics Until February 14

On the 8th, when record-breaking cold waves raged with the lowest temperature in Seoul dropping below minus 18 degrees, medical staff were collecting samples at the temporary screening clinic in Seoul Station Plaza. On that day, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases recorded 674, down by 196 from the previous day. It was the first time in five days since the 3rd, when 657 cases were recorded. The quarantine authorities evaluated that this wave has entered a "gradual decline." Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy, reporter Koo Chaeun] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on January 16 that it will extend the operation period of temporary screening clinics, where people can receive anonymous COVID-19 tests, by an additional four weeks until February 14.

The city explained that this measure is being taken in conjunction with special quarantine measures for the Lunar New Year holiday. Seoul began operating temporary screening clinics on December 14, 2020. The original operation period was until January 3, but it was first extended by two weeks, and now it has been extended again.

The temporary screening clinics are set up in major subway stations and public parking lots with high foot traffic and easy access for citizens. From December 14, 2020 to January 14, 2021, a total of 536,312 people were tested at Seoul's temporary screening clinics, and 1,671 confirmed cases were identified over the 32-day period.

Considering the average daily number of tests and the operational efficiency of each clinic, the Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to reduce the number of clinics from 56 to 52 in order to help alleviate the fatigue of medical staff.

Additionally, the locations of two clinics-one in Gangseo District and one in Seocho District-will be changed starting January 18. The Gangseo District Magok Indoor Badminton Court parking lot clinic will be relocated to the Magok 8 District public parking lot, and the Seocho District Banpo Sports Complex clinic will be moved to Yangjae Neighborhood Park.

Information on the nearest temporary screening clinic and its operating hours can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website, by calling 120, or by searching for "임시선별검사소" (Temporary Screening Clinic) on Naver Map or Kakao Map. Kim Taekyun, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Administration Bureau, stated, "Although the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is on the decline, it is still necessary to make efforts to break the chain of infection more definitively," and added, "Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, we ask for citizens' voluntary participation in testing to help prevent infections among family and acquaintances."

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