How to Handle COVID-19 Testing, Medical Care, and Emergencies During the Seol Holiday?

'Infectious Disease Dedicated Hospitals' Operate Normally During Holidays
After Seol, Local Clinics Also Offer 'COVID-19 Testing'

On the 28th, one day before the Lunar New Year holiday, a notice about holiday operating hours was installed at the COVID-19 screening clinic of Gangseo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Mo Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] During the Lunar New Year holiday period, people can freely choose to take either a rapid antigen test, nucleic acid amplification test, or PCR test at screening clinics nationwide. Starting immediately after the holiday, a new testing system will be fully implemented, allowing only 'priority test subjects' to receive PCR tests. COVID-19 testing at designated local clinics such as respiratory specialty clinics will also be available after the Lunar New Year holiday.

From the 29th of last month until the 2nd of next month, which marks the end of the Lunar New Year holiday, 256 screening clinics installed at public health centers and large hospitals nationwide will conduct both PCR and rapid antigen tests concurrently.

Accordingly, visitors to screening clinics during the holiday can choose between the current PCR test, which has higher accuracy but takes at least half a day or more to deliver results, and the rapid antigen test, which has lower accuracy than PCR but provides results in a short time.

If visiting a screening clinic or temporary screening site, individuals can receive a free self-test kit and perform the test themselves under supervision. The self-administered rapid antigen test differs from the professional rapid antigen test, where medical personnel collect nasopharyngeal swab specimens, in that individuals collect nasal swab specimens themselves; however, the testing principle is the same.

Infectious disease dedicated hospitals will operate normally during the holiday period. If confirmed positive but not classified as high-risk or severe patients, individuals will basically receive home treatment. Those who have completed vaccination during home treatment should self-isolate for 7 days, while unvaccinated individuals should quarantine for 7 days followed by 3 days of voluntary isolation.

During the holiday, if adverse reactions occur after vaccination or in cases of self-quarantine, overseas entry, or other significant needs, the Disease Control and Prevention Agency call center 1339 can be used.

Meanwhile, the new testing system will be introduced from the 3rd of next month not only at screening clinics but also at 213 temporary screening sites and 431 respiratory specialty clinics nationwide. Except for priority test subjects, individuals will first take a rapid antigen test at designated medical institutions such as screening clinics, temporary screening sites, or respiratory specialty clinics, and if the result is positive, they will then receive a PCR test.

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