Goodoc, 'PCR Test' Search Volume in Japan Up to 40%↑... "Driven by Increased Demand for Overseas Travel"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Goodoc, the number one mobile healthcare platform company in South Korea, announced on the 21st that the search volume for information related to issuing English PCR negative certificates is increasing due to the rising demand for overseas travel ahead of the endemic.

Goodoc stated that its own analysis showed the weekly average search volume for the keyword ‘PCR test’ was about 15,000. The company explained that this figure represents an increase of 13% compared to the previous week and up to 40% compared to the daily average.

The company analyzed that the increase in platform usage is due to the lack of a unified information source for PCR tests required for entry and exit. Although social distancing measures have been fully lifted recently and entry restrictions removed, the Ministry of Health and Welfare still requires travelers entering Korea from overseas to undergo a total of three PCR tests and submit negative certificates.

Jinseok Lim, CEO of Goodoc, said, “Although demand for overseas travel is increasing as COVID-19 related restrictions are eased, the cost of the three mandatory PCR tests for entry reaches about 1 million KRW, and above all, the testing and issuance fees vary greatly depending on the hospital. Goodoc provides information on all procedures related to PCR required for entry, including whether PCR tests are available at each hospital or clinic, costs, and issuance of English certificates, which seems to be driving the increase in search volume.”

On the 8th, Goodoc launched the nation’s first service providing information on issuing English PCR negative certificates required for overseas travel. This service offers all necessary information from hospitals and clinics where PCR tests are available based on the user’s location to the issuance of negative certificates.

This year, overseas travel demand, which had been suppressed due to COVID-19, is expected to increase significantly. This is because major countries around the world are easing entry restrictions as part of the transition to a COVID-19 endemic. The Korean government also effectively removed restrictions on overseas travel by fully lifting social distancing measures on the 18th after more than two years.

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