COVID-19 Testing System in Gwangju Region to Be Newly Revised

Pre-screening Required Including Self-Test Kits and Rapid Antigen Tests Provided at Screening Clinics

PCR Testing Available for Close Contacts of Confirmed Cases and Those with Medical Opinions

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The COVID-19 testing system in the Gwangju area is undergoing a new change.

On the 24th, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced in a COVID briefing, "Starting from the 26th, PCR tests will only be conducted for high-risk groups such as confirmed cases and close contacts with epidemiological links, those with a doctor's opinion, people aged 60 and over, those who test positive on self-test kits, and those who test positive on rapid antigen tests."

This is a government measure to pilot a new testing and treatment system in four locations, including our city where the Omicron variant is rapidly spreading (Gwangju, Jeonnam, Pyeongtaek, Anseong).

Citizens who wish to receive a COVID-19 diagnostic test can visit a nearby screening clinic to take a test using a self-test kit provided on-site or first undergo a rapid antigen test at one of the 23 respiratory-specialized clinics at hospital or medical institution level. If the test result is positive, a PCR test will then be conducted.

Along with this, Gwangju City has extended the order to expand diagnostic testing for workers at infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and facilities for two more weeks until the 6th of next month.

Among workers at nursing hospitals and nursing facilities, psychiatric medical institutions, psychiatric nursing and rehabilitation facilities, and Korean medicine and rehabilitation hospitals, those unvaccinated and those who have received the first and second doses must undergo PCR diagnostic testing three times a week, while those who have received the third dose must be tested twice a week. Face-to-face visits to facilities will continue to be banned until the 6th of next month, and workers are prohibited from visiting multi-use facilities except when commuting to and from work.

Workers at elderly care facilities, facilities for people with disabilities, and homeless shelters must undergo PCR diagnostic testing twice a week regardless of vaccination status, and workers at youth training centers and welfare facilities will undergo PCR diagnostic testing once a week.

Among workers at academies, reading rooms, and study cafes, those unvaccinated must undergo PCR testing once a week.

The mayor said, "Since vaccination is also available for unregistered and undocumented foreigners, I earnestly ask for active participation in vaccination," adding, "As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, everyone's effort to protect the safety of the Gwangju community is urgently needed. Please actively cooperate with the 'pause' measures such as refraining from visiting hometowns and traveling."