Seoul Gangseo-gu Operates COVID-19 'Drive-Through Screening Clinic'

Installed on the public parking lot site in front of Ewha Seoul Hospital... Walk-in screening clinic opens on the 4th, drive-thru screening clinic operates from the 5th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) is operating the city’s first-ever COVID-19 testing facilities: one drive-thru screening clinic and two walk-in screening clinics.

The facilities are located at the Magok 8 District public parking lot site (Magok-dong 802-3 area), across from Edae Seoul Hospital near Balsan Station, covering an area approximately 40m wide and 72m long (about 2,880㎡).

The site includes two screening clinic buildings, three waiting areas, and two office buildings.

The screening clinics will be staffed by two doctors, two nurses, two administrative personnel, and six guides, operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The walk-in screening clinics, which allow individuals to come on foot for COVID-19 testing, will begin operation on the 4th.

Meanwhile, the drive-thru screening clinic, where people can be tested inside their vehicles without getting out, will officially open on the 5th.

As confirmed COVID-19 cases increase, many residents, anxious due to cold symptoms or visits to affected areas, are visiting screening clinics.

This has led to long wait times for testing, prompting the operation of two walk-in screening clinics and one drive-thru screening clinic to alleviate the congestion.

These measures especially help minimize cross-infection risks during the waiting process and improve testing convenience.

The walk-in screening clinics will help distribute the workload from the Gangseo-gu Public Health Center, where many people are currently experiencing delays, and are expected to provide greater convenience for residents traveling from distant areas such as Banghwa-dong and Gonghang-dong.

Using the drive-thru screening clinic, all procedures?from filling out the questionnaire to medical consultation and specimen collection?are completed inside the vehicle, reducing the testing time per person from the previous 1 hour 30 minutes to within 5 to 10 minutes.

Going forward, residents can conveniently choose to be tested either at the Gangseo-gu Public Health Center or at the screening clinics located across from Edae Seoul Hospital near Balsan Station, depending on their travel distance.

Mayor Noh Hyun-song stated, "We have established the drive-thru screening clinic to prevent cross-infection caused by waiting times," and added, "We will do our best to ensure that residents eligible for testing can receive it more conveniently."

He also urged residents to strictly follow preventive measures, such as wearing masks when going out or using multi-use facilities, until COVID-19 is fully contained, for the health of themselves and their neighbors.

For inquiries, contact the Gangseo-gu Office Safety Management Division at ☎2600-6807.