Travel Safely for Seol... Get a PCR Test at Rest Areas

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The government will operate temporary screening clinics at major rest areas and train stations during the Lunar New Year holiday period to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Returning travelers can now proactively respond to infection spread through PCR testing on their way back from their hometowns.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum previously urged ahead of the Lunar New Year, "Please minimize travel and gatherings during the holiday," and added, "If it is unavoidable to visit your hometown, please visit a nearby testing site such as a temporary highway testing clinic if you have even the slightest suspicion on your way home."

The temporary screening clinics installed at major highway rest areas and railway stations for the Lunar New Year will operate temporarily for one month. On the highways, clinics are set up at seven locations: ▲ Anseong Rest Area (Seoul direction) ▲ Icheon Rest Area (Hanam direction) ▲ Yongin Rest Area (Incheon direction) ▲ Naerincheon Rest Area (both directions) ▲ Hoengseong Rest Area (Gangneung direction) ▲ Baekyangsa Rest Area (Suncheon direction) ▲ Hampyeongcheonji Rest Area (Mokpo direction). A temporary screening clinic is also installed and operating at Gimcheon-Gumi KTX Station.

It is advisable to avoid the Lunar New Year day (the 1st) and the day after (the 2nd) around 2 to 3 p.m., when traffic is expected to be the most congested due to the influx of travelers returning home and visitors. The expected travel volume on the Lunar New Year day and the following day accounts for 27.4% and 18.6% of the total holiday period, ranking first and second respectively.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, the temporary screening clinics at rest areas will conduct only PCR tests, not rapid antigen tests, according to health authorities. Although rapid antigen testing began at 256 screening clinics nationwide from the 29th of last month as part of the Omicron response system, rapid antigen testing is scheduled to be introduced at temporary screening clinics starting from the 3rd.

Additionally, information on screening clinics, temporary screening clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies open during the Lunar New Year holiday can be confirmed through ▲129 (Health and Welfare Call Center) ▲119 (Emergency Situation Management Center) ▲120 (City/Province Call Center) ▲Emergency Medical Portal (http://www.e-gen.or.kr).

Meanwhile, health authorities are concerned about a surge in confirmed cases during the Lunar New Year holiday as the Omicron variant spreads. The Omicron variant accounts for more than 50% of domestic infections, and on the 31st of last month, the number of new confirmed cases in the country reached 17,085.

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