"No Need to Queue in the Heat for PCR Tests"…Same-Day Reservation System Established at Screening Clinics

Reservation Available in COVID-19 Information Management System

On the 2nd, the screening clinic at Mapo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul was crowded with citizens. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] From now on, it will be possible to receive a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at screening clinics without having to wait in line.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced on the 5th that it received a report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 'Establishment of Same-Day Reservation Function for PCR Tests at Screening Clinics Nationwide' and discussed it.

So far, as the spread of COVID-19 continues, concerns have been raised that when visitors to screening clinics increase, waiting times become longer and the risk of infection among crowded individuals rises.

Accordingly, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has launched a same-day reservation system so that anyone eligible for PCR testing, including those aged 60 and over and epidemiologically linked individuals, can receive tests promptly. This system was first introduced at a screening clinic in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 13th of last month and is currently being expanded to seven public health centers.

Starting this month, the same-day reservation system will be available at public health centers nationwide. Eligible individuals can access the COVID-19 information management system through text messages, QR codes, or mobile applications provided by each public health center, select their desired visit time, and complete an electronic questionnaire to finalize their same-day reservation for testing.

A representative from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated, "We will continue to cooperate with local governments and public health centers to expand screening clinics and temporary screening testing sites utilizing the same-day reservation function," adding, "We plan to actively listen to the difficulties experienced by public health centers during the pilot operation and continuously improve the related system."

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