Prime Minister Kim: "Stable Supply of Rapid Antigen Test Kits, Considering Introduction of Maximum Price System"

Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 11th, "We will supply rapid antigen test kits sufficiently and stably," adding, "We are even considering introducing a maximum price system for these kits."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that day, Prime Minister Kim stated, "The large-scale reform of the (medical and quarantine system) has been largely completed, and from now on, what remains is flawless implementation and continuous supplementation."

He further explained, "Examples of (implementation and supplementation) include adjusting the living support fund standards to fit the reformed home treatment and isolation system, reducing the diagnostic test cost burden for caregivers or guardians entering medical institutions, and providing the opportunity for a fourth vaccination dose to those with lowered immunity."

Regarding recent controversies claiming that the government is neglecting Omicron confirmed cases, Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "The government will never ignore or abandon citizens who are suffering," and stressed, "Medical resources are concentrated on critically ill patients, while appropriate medical services are also being provided to the rest of the population."

He also mentioned, "It is very important to minimize economic and social damage by carefully analyzing and evaluating the quarantine situation and adjusting social distancing," adding, "If the number of severe cases and deaths remains stable and the quarantine situation is deemed manageable to some extent, we will make a courageous decision at any time." This is interpreted as indicating the resumption of 'With Corona' (gradual return to daily life) which had been paused.

At the same meeting, the recent spread of livestock infectious diseases was reviewed and quarantine measures were discussed. Prime Minister Kim pointed out that highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) has occurred consecutively in farms in four provinces?Chungnam, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Gyeonggi?over the past week, and instructed the government, local governments, and farms to maintain vigilance and thoroughly check for any gaps in quarantine measures.

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