"Is COVID-19 Avoiding Office Workers?"... Frustration Over Free Distribution of Self-Test Kits for Screening

Criticism Grows Over Government's Selective Distribution Policy
"Nationwide Distribution Needed to Stop Spread"

On the 10th, as the spread of COVID-19 continued, a self-test kit sold-out notice was posted at a pharmacy in downtown Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Jang Sehee and Oh Gyumin] Although the government has decided to provide free self-test kits only to vulnerable groups, criticism continues that they should be distributed to the entire population at the national level.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and Ministry of Economy and Finance on the 12th, the government plans to distribute rapid antigen test kits free of charge once or twice a week to about 2.16 million people in vulnerable groups such as daycare centers and elderly welfare facilities starting from the 21st of this month.

A government official stated, "We plan to supply self-test kits free of charge only to vulnerable groups," adding, "This will include low-income groups, children, delivery workers, and workers at nursing facilities." The intention is to prioritize protecting groups with relatively low immunity levels and those easily exposed to infection risks due to communal living.

However, whether to distribute kits free of charge to kindergartens and elementary schools will be decided later after consultations with metropolitan and provincial superintendents of education. From March, the plan is to expand free distribution of rapid antigen test kits to pregnant women and other vulnerable groups in terms of quarantine.

With COVID-19 cases nearing 60,000... "Distribution to all citizens needed to stop the spread"

As the number of new COVID-19 cases recently approaches 60,000, criticism of the 'selective distribution' policy is intensifying.

Kang (30), who is two weeks away from his wedding, tried to buy a COVID-19 self-test kit at a pharmacy near Yongsan, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 11th but failed and ended up purchasing one in Sinchon. Kang said, "I went to four large pharmacies near a residential area in Yongsan but couldn't find any self-test kits, so I finally moved to Sinchon and bought one for 12,000 won," adding, "Another pharmacy about 50 meters away was selling them for 16,000 won, so it felt like the price was being arbitrarily set." He also said, "I think it would be right for the government to distribute them nationwide before the COVID-19 situation worsens."

Seo (28), living in Bucheon, said, "I remember the mask shortage crisis and was planning to stock up, but prices have already risen a lot compared to the early days, so it's a burden," adding, "It's hard to understand the government's reason for selective distribution since not only vulnerable groups get infected with COVID-19."

Although the government announced it would consider a maximum price system to adjust the overall kit prices, some in the industry say that since direct transactions are secretly taking place, the actual effectiveness may be limited. A pharmacy official said, "Direct transactions also happened during the mask shortage," adding, "There will definitely be limits to government monitoring of self-test kits as well."

Meanwhile, those vulnerable to COVID-19 infection are welcoming the move. Care worker Yoo (57) said, "I have to self-test at least once a week to be able to work," adding, "Since I need it frequently, additional support from the central government besides Seoul city would be helpful." Delivery worker Joo (47) also added, "It will probably become increasingly difficult to obtain self-test kits, so it would be good to support vulnerable groups."

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