Daejeon City Offers Free COVID-19 Testing to All Interested Until the 14th of Next Month

Citizens are lining up to get tested at the Seoul Station COVID-19 temporary screening clinic. The photo is unrelated to the article. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Daejeon city government has extended the operation period of the Hanbat Gymnasium temporary screening clinic until the 14th of next month, allowing anyone who wishes to receive a free diagnostic test for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), regardless of symptoms.

On the 18th, the city announced that it will extend the operation period of the Hanbat Gymnasium temporary screening clinic located in Busa-dong, Jung-gu, until the special quarantine period for the Lunar New Year set by the government.

The temporary screening clinic began operations on December 28 of last year and conducted COVID-19 diagnostic tests on a total of 7,986 people until the 16th, successfully identifying 14 confirmed cases. The clinic is currently operated by four private medical personnel hired by the city and staff from the Korean Tuberculosis Association.

Along with the extension of the operation period, the city is also expanding the target group. Any Daejeon citizen who wishes to be tested, even without symptoms, can receive the test free of charge. Diagnostic tests are available at the temporary screening clinic on weekdays from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and on weekends from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities will receive diagnostic tests via drive-through, while the general public will be tested via walking-through. Test results can be confirmed within approximately 24 hours.

Jung Hae-kyo, Director of the Health and Welfare Bureau of the city, said, “As the social distancing level 2 is extended during the special quarantine period for Lunar New Year, the city has decided to extend the operation of the temporary screening clinic. We ask citizens who have even slight symptoms or feel anxious to visit the temporary screening clinic and receive a free diagnostic test by the 14th of next month.”