Seoul Foreign Workers 'Mandatory COVID Testing' Administrative Order

Implemented for 2 weeks until the 31st... Testing for all regardless of registration
Employers must comply... Fines up to 2 million won for non-compliance

On the 16th, when the government announced special quarantine measures for the Seoul metropolitan area, citizens and foreign workers lined up at a temporary COVID-19 testing site set up in the plaza of Guro Station, Seoul, to get diagnostic tests. The Seoul Metropolitan Government issued an administrative order requiring foreign workers to undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing from the 17th to the 31st. Accordingly, employers who hire even one foreign worker and the foreign workers themselves must undergo COVID-19 testing, and employers who do not comply with the administrative order will be fined. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will enforce an administrative order mandating COVID-19 testing for foreign workers for two weeks until the 31st to prevent the spread of the virus.

According to Seoul City on the 17th, all foreign workers must undergo testing regardless of registration status, and employers are required to comply. Failure to comply with the administrative order will result in a fine of up to 2 million KRW.

During the period of this administrative order, three foreigner support facilities, including the Seoul Global Center, will operate daily interpretation services to assist with testing. Testing can be done anonymously, and both testing and treatment costs in case of a positive diagnosis are free of charge.

To encourage foreign workers to participate in testing, Seoul City plans to send official letters to 4,457 workplaces employing foreigners. Temporary screening clinics will also operate on Sundays in areas with high concentrations of foreign workers, including Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu, and Yeongdeungpo-gu.

Additionally, Seoul City will conduct 'small-scale proactive group testing' by grouping 2 to 3 workplaces where foreign workers are employed. This is in consideration of the fact that 98% of the 304 manufacturing companies employing foreigners have fewer than 10 employees, and 70% of construction sites are small-scale.

Park Yumi, the quarantine control officer of Seoul City's Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "During the administrative order period, three foreigner support facilities including the Seoul Global Center will operate daily interpretation services to assist with testing," adding, "Testing and treatment costs for foreign workers are free, so we earnestly urge everyone to participate in testing without exception."

Since small-scale group infections continue to occur, spreading through workplaces, medical institutions, academies, and leading to secondary infections, social distancing and prompt testing are strongly requested.

Officer Park emphasized, "Although it may be difficult during the busy spring season, please refrain from unnecessary gatherings and strictly observe the 'ban on private gatherings of five or more people.' We also ask that all facilities such as parks, amusement facilities, department stores, and large markets strictly adhere to the 'Social Distancing Level 2' quarantine guidelines, including capacity limits and distancing."

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