Search for COVID-19 'Rapid Antigen Testing Sites' on Naver and Kakao Maps

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[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Information on COVID-19 rapid antigen testing sites will be available on Naver Maps and KakaoMap.

Naver announced on the 9th that it will provide information on COVID-19 rapid antigen testing sites through Naver Search and Naver Maps.

According to the recently changed COVID-19 diagnosis and testing system, individuals classified as ‘general suspected cases’ who are not in the ‘high-risk group’ will receive a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test if they test positive on a COVID-19 rapid antigen test or a self-test kit.

Naver uses the ‘Respiratory Treatment Designated Medical Institution Information’ provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to allow users to distinguish information on ‘rapid antigen testing sites’ from ‘PCR testing institutions’.

When users search for rapid antigen testing or rapid antigen testing hospitals on Naver Search and Naver Maps, they can selectively view information on hospitals conducting rapid antigen tests. Additionally, the search results provide separate filters to view information by institution type, such as PCR testing institutions and respiratory treatment designated medical institutions.

Since the early spread of COVID-19, Naver has promptly reflected and provided necessary information to users through search results and the Naver Maps app, including official mask sales locations and stock status, as well as COVID-19 screening clinic locations and congestion information.

Kakao’s mobile map app, KakaoMap, also offers a search service for institutions where COVID-19 rapid antigen tests can be taken.

Users can either directly search for ‘rapid antigen test’ in the KakaoMap search bar or click the ‘rapid antigen test’ button located below the search bar. This allows users to view all available testing institutions at once, including screening clinics, temporary screening clinics, respiratory treatment designated medical institutions, and respiratory specialized clinics. The list of testing institutions will be continuously updated.

The KakaoMap ‘rapid antigen test’ institution search service is available on the KakaoMap mobile app (Android, iOS), mobile web, and PC. Users can also check various COVID-19 related information through KakaoMap, such as screening clinics and real-time reservations for leftover vaccines at vaccination sites.

Meanwhile, the information on ‘rapid antigen test’ institutions provided by KakaoMap is based on data from the public data portal’s application programming interface (API) and data provided by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

A KakaoMap official stated, "Due to the restructuring of the COVID-19 testing system, the demand for searching rapid antigen testing institutions has increased, leading to the introduction of this related feature. KakaoMap will continue to enhance location information functions and services to improve users’ quality of life."

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