[On-site Video] Temporary Screening Clinic at Seoul Station Reinstalled After 25 Days

Quiet Scene on the First Afternoon... Mainly Visited by Elderly and Travelers

[Asia Economy PD Yoon Jin-geun] The temporary screening clinic in front of Seoul Station resumed operations on the 25th, 25 days after it had been closed.

When visiting the Seoul Station temporary screening clinic around 2 p.m. that day, it was somewhat quiet. Citizens were able to get tested immediately without standing in long lines. This was in contrast to last year when citizens lined up for long hours to get tested for COVID-19.

According to officials at the temporary screening clinic, about 100 citizens visited the clinic between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on that day, during approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Citizens filled out electronic questionnaires by scanning QR codes printed on signboards before entering the clinic to get tested.

The temporary screening clinic at Seoul Station Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, resumed operations on the 25th. The photo shows medical staff waiting for individuals to collect specimens from citizens on the afternoon of the 25th. Photo by Jin-geun Yoon PD yoon@

Citizens emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance and actively participating in testing. Kim Jung-ok (69) said, “Because of the COVID-19 spread, I received the 4th vaccine dose and regularly get tested to prevent infection.” She added, “Currently, the situation is fluctuating, so I am very worried,” and stressed, “Anyone can get COVID-19, so citizens must actively undergo testing and vaccination.”

Park Ok-gyun (69) said, “I had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient, and I came to get tested because I was worried about my children at home.” Regarding the spread, she said, “Recently, the sense of crisis has dulled due to the decrease in cases, but now that the number of confirmed cases is doubling again, I am worried,” and added, “Today’s visit to the temporary screening clinic has reminded me to be vigilant again.”

There were also opinions that the temporary screening clinic would help prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections. Jeon Seok-jin said, “I got tested because I tested positive on a COVID-19 self-diagnosis kit.” He added, “It was convenient to get tested since the temporary screening clinic near my home reopened,” and said, “Since the clinic is outdoors, even if many confirmed patients come, the risk of infection seems lower.”

The temporary screening clinic in front of Seoul Station Plaza, Jung-gu, Seoul, resumed operations on the 25th. The photo shows the temporary screening clinic in front of Seoul Station Plaza on the afternoon of the 25th. Photo by Jin-geun Yoon PD yoon@

Meanwhile, the temporary screening clinic operates on weekdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. for 8 hours. Operations are temporarily suspended from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for disinfection. No tests are conducted on Saturdays.

Those eligible for testing at the temporary screening clinic are priority groups for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. This includes elderly people aged 60 and over and overseas arrivals. People who test positive on self-diagnosis kits can also get tested at the temporary screening clinic.