Authorities: "Self-Test Kits Should Be Used as Supplementary Tools... Available for Purchase at Pharmacies"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is actively considering the introduction of 'self-test kits' that allow individuals to test for COVID-19 on their own, while Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol expressed concerns about the 'reliability of the tests' and stated that they should be used as a supplementary measure.

Although no self-test kits have yet been approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the plan is to allow purchases at pharmacies and use them as a supplementary tool once approval is granted.

In an interview on June 13 with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Minister Kwon said, "The issue is the reliability of the self-test kits. If someone tests 'negative' when they are actually 'positive,' they may continue their activities, remove masks, drink alcohol, and converse, potentially causing widespread infection." He added, "They can be used as a supplementary tool, but we need to consult experts on how to address this issue."

Earlier, the Seoul city government announced its intention to use self-test kits when entering multi-use facilities such as karaoke rooms.

At a press briefing held the same day, quarantine authorities reiterated that due to the lower accuracy of self-test kits, they should be used only as a supplementary measure and not for diagnostic purposes.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, explained, "Although 'self-diagnostic kits' and 'self-test kits' are the same in name, strictly speaking, 'self-test kits' is the correct term. Since self-test kits have lower accuracy, they are not intended for diagnostic purposes but as a supplementary tool."

Yoon added, "With self-diagnostic kits, individuals test themselves to confirm positive or negative results, and if positive, they must immediately undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. If negative, it means they should continue to follow quarantine guidelines carefully."

He also stated, "Although self-test kits have not yet been approved, once approved, they will be available for purchase at pharmacies and can be used at home as a supplementary measure."

He further noted, "Guidelines on where to utilize self-test kits will be prepared, centered on the Central Disease Control Headquarters."