Jeonnam Province Issues Administrative Order for COVID Testing of Foreign Workers and Employers

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has implemented an administrative order requiring foreign workers in the province and their employers to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing by the 31st of this month.

According to the province on the 10th, the administrative order targets approximately 14,000 foreign workers employed at about 4,500 manufacturing workplaces that employ one or more foreigners within the province.

In addition, undocumented foreign workers (unregistered migrants) employed at workplaces in the province will not face disadvantages related to their illegal status if they comply with diagnostic testing and quarantine treatment during the administrative order period.

Diagnostic tests can be taken at nearby screening clinics, and the tests are free of charge.

However, foreign workers who have undergone diagnostic testing since the 22nd of last month are excluded from this administrative order.

Violations of the administrative order will result in fines of up to 3 million won under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, and if an infectious disease outbreak occurs due to the violation, costs related to testing, investigation, and treatment may be claimed.

Song Sangrak, Deputy Governor of Jeonnam Province, stated, “Large-scale cluster infections have recently occurred repeatedly at foreign worker workplaces. This measure aims to quickly identify hidden infections and block the spread within the region to minimize damage to foreign workers, employers, and residents. Therefore, we urge foreign workers, including undocumented migrants, to visit nearby screening clinics and receive free diagnostic testing.”

The Ministry of Justice has been implementing a system exempting the obligation to report illegal stay since January last year, ensuring that foreign nationals and employers do not face disadvantages even if there are undocumented or illegally employed foreigners during the quarantine process.

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