Yoo Eun-hye: "Providing Rapid Antigen Test Kits, a Decision to Maximize In-Person Classes"

Visited site preparing rapid antigen test kits and participated in packaging
Distributing kits to students at school every Friday
"Will reduce school burden once Omicron stabilizes"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye is seen on the 23rd at Cheongju Office of Education, packing rapid antigen test kits into smaller packages.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye stated on the 23rd, "Contact tracing by each school and the provision of rapid antigen test kits are aimed at offering as many in-person classes as possible."

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo visited the Cheongju Office of Education in Chungbuk to inspect the preparation site for rapid antigen test kits and to listen to field opinions on school quarantine support measures. She personally participated in the repackaging of testing tools to encourage the staff's efforts.

The Ministry of Education will distribute 60.5 million rapid antigen test kits nationwide to education offices on a weekly basis throughout March, and the education offices will distribute the kits to schools. Although there are regional differences, schools typically distribute the kits every Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "We are well aware that contact tracing by each school and self-diagnosis using rapid antigen test kits are unfamiliar and psychologically burdensome for students, faculty, and parents alike," adding, "While there are difficulties on the ground, these unavoidable measures were decided after careful consideration to ensure the safest environment and provide as many in-person classes as possible."

She continued, "We expect a large number of confirmed cases among students and faculty throughout March, unprecedented until now, with the scale and patterns varying greatly by school and region," and added, "From March 2 to 11, during the new semester adaptation period, we hope schools will use this time to familiarize themselves with quarantine and academic operation measures and enhance their Omicron response capabilities."

She further requested, "We ask students, faculty, and parents for a little more understanding and cooperation," and assured, "We will reduce the burden on schools as the Omicron situation stabilizes overall."

From the new semester, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school students attending school will receive rapid antigen test kits on March 2 and will be dismissed early. The Ministry of Education plans to conduct education and publicity on how to use the rapid antigen test kits and the updated quarantine guidelines during the first week of school.

Meanwhile, on the 24th, Deputy Prime Minister Yoo will hold a meeting with field teachers to discuss new semester academic operations and quarantine support measures. Twenty-four teachers will attend the meeting, and Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University’s Department of Preventive Medicine will participate via video.

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