"Prices Surge Like During Mask Shortage"... Demand for 'Self-Test Kits' Soars Causing Price Fluctuations

Switch to 'Omicron Quarantine System' on the 3rd... Surge in Demand for Self-Test Kits
Price Soars or 'Shortage Phenomenon' Occurs in Some Online Malls

As the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant accelerates, the demand for self-test kits for rapid antigen testing is surging. Photo by Naver Shopping Mall.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As the quarantine system fully shifts from the 3rd to respond to the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the demand for rapid antigen self-test kits has surged. Although the government previously assured that there would be no issues securing supplies, prices of self-test kits have skyrocketed, and some online shopping malls are experiencing shortages.

From the 3rd, the 'Omicron Quarantine System' was activated to effectively respond to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. At screening clinics and testing centers, even if individuals have suspected COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or runny nose, PCR tests are not available unless they are elderly aged 60 or above, close contacts, or high-risk groups with a doctor's note. Therefore, the general public must first take a rapid antigen test at screening clinics or respiratory-specialized clinics in local hospitals and clinics.

With rapid antigen testing prioritized, demand for self-test kits surged. On the 3rd, Asia Economy searched for 'COVID-19 self-test kits' on platforms like Naver and found that a box containing two self-test kits was priced around 11,000 to 16,000 KRW, but most were sold out or had notices stating shipments would be after mid-February. Before the purchasing frenzy, the price of a self-test kit box had dropped to about 6,000 KRW.

On the 3rd, citizens who underwent rapid antigen tests at the temporary screening clinic in front of Seoul City Hall, where the COVID-19 testing method changed, are waiting to receive negative confirmation certificates. The general public will primarily receive rapid antigen tests using self-test kits instead of the conventional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. Alternatively, expert rapid antigen tests can be conducted at local clinics such as respiratory specialty clinics. Although the accuracy is lower than PCR, this is intended to meet the increasing demand for testing due to the spread of Omicron. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

As prices of self-test kits rose, consumers expressed dissatisfaction. An online community user, Mr. A, said, "I need it immediately, but the price has surged sharply in a few days like the early COVID mask prices," adding, "Isn't it supposed to be sold cheaply when it's needed frequently like these days? Is 15,000 KRW for two kits reasonable?"

Earlier, around the Lunar New Year holiday, as COVID-19 cases surged, panic buying of self-test kits occurred due to fears of supply shortages similar to the mask shortage at the beginning of the pandemic.

In response, Lee Ki-il, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said on the 28th of last month, "I understand there are many concerns about self-test kits, but yesterday the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety signed agreements with self-test kit manufacturers," adding, "They agreed to cooperate on expanding production, prioritizing supply, shipment volumes, and price stabilization due to the surge in demand. It is expected that about 7.5 million units can be supplied stably."

Meanwhile, on the 2nd, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and self-test kit manufacturers announced that they are closely cooperating to produce and supply self-test kits sufficient for 6.86 million people to be used over the next two weeks at 256 screening clinics nationwide, including public health centers, and 9.6 million units available for individual purchase at pharmacies and other outlets.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also stated, "Since the supply of self-test kits used for free testing at screening clinics is expected to be sufficient, individuals do not need to purchase excessive quantities of self-test kits on their own."

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