'Oh My God!' at Long Lines in Screening Clinics...Giving Up Tests Due to Waiting [Life Disrupted by COVID-19]

2 PM on the 12th, Gangnam-gu Health Center Waiting Time 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Citizens Trying to Get Tested Exhausted by the Heat
Temporary Screening Clinics Also See Continuous Foot Traffic

Around 12:30 PM on the 12th, citizens are waiting to get tested at the parking lot of Gangnam-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon leejuyoo@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Around noon on the 12th, the parking lot in front of the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center in Seoul was crowded with hundreds of people visiting the permanent screening clinic. People had to take a waiting ticket before getting tested, and even that required waiting for more than 1 hour and 30 minutes. On that day, the minimum time to get a COVID-19 test was 2 hours and 30 minutes. Some people exclaimed "Oh my God!" upon seeing the waiting line, while others gave up and left after being informed by staff that they would have to wait more than 2 hours. The Gangnam-gu Public Health Center even cleared the parking lot to create additional waiting space.

As COVID-19 cases surged rapidly in Seoul and the metropolitan area recently, screening clinics have become crowded with people seeking COVID-19 tests. In particular, more than 100 cumulative confirmed cases were reported at Hyundai Department Store Trade Center Branch, causing screening clinics near Gangnam to be especially busy.

Jung (28), who works at Hyundai Department Store Trade Center Branch, said, "I arrived at 10:10 a.m., but I was only able to get tested at 12:50 p.m. I came to the clinic to get my third test because I have to go to work starting tomorrow." A Gangnam-gu Public Health Center official explained, "Testing starts at 9 a.m., but some office workers start waiting two hours earlier. Testing is conducted without a lunch break, and the waiting area only seems to clear up around 8 p.m."

People waiting for tests had to endure the heat along with the seemingly endless wait. On that day, temperatures soared above 30 degrees Celsius, and people continuously wiped off their sweat. Many were seen using parasols or portable fans to cool down. Office worker Jung (60) said, "I came to get a preemptive test after hearing that COVID-19 is spreading. I've been waiting for an hour and 30 minutes, and enduring the heat is the hardest part."

At the same time, a long line formed at the permanent screening clinic located at Seocho-gu Public Health Center. Hundreds of people were also seeking COVID-19 tests there, with the line stretching about 150 meters. A Seocho-gu Public Health Center official said, "You have to wait about 2 hours to get tested. Still, today the number of people waiting is less than on weekdays last week."

Citizens also continued to visit temporary screening clinics set up to address the rapidly increasing demand for tests. Around 1 p.m. that day, about 50 people were waiting at the temporary screening clinic near exits 9 and 10 of Gangnam Station. Most of the visitors were office workers and students, with a waiting time of about 30 minutes. Jang Min-su (20), a student retaking the college entrance exam, said, "I was at the academy when I heard that my parents were classified as close contacts. I immediately left early and searched for a nearby testing site to visit."

Meanwhile, as citizens’ inconveniences at screening clinics continued, the Seoul Metropolitan Government established a system on the 'Smart Seoul Map' that allows real-time checking of congestion status at about 80 screening clinics across Seoul. Waiting times are indicated as 'Normal,' 'Busy,' or 'Congested,' with congestion levels categorized as within 30 minutes, around 60 minutes, and over 90 minutes.

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