'Public Mask' Followed by 'Public Self-Test Kit'?… Online Sales Ban Starts Tomorrow

Only Sold Offline at Pharmacies and Convenience Stores
Partial Sales Allowed for Production Efficiency

Reminiscent of 2020's 'Public Masks'
Pharmacies · 1500 Won · Mask 5-Day Rotation System

On the 10th, as the spread of COVID-19 continued, a self-test kit sold-out notice was posted at a pharmacy in downtown Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] To prevent supply shortages of COVID-19 rapid antigen self-test kits (self-test kits), the government will ban online sales starting from the 13th and allow pharmacies and convenience stores to sell bulk-packaged products in single or double units.

According to the government on the 12th, online sales of self-test kits will be prohibited from the 13th. However, sales to deplete existing stock will be allowed until the 16th. Offline sales will be limited to pharmacies and convenience stores.

The government explained that this measure is not due to a shortage of supply, as the current supply of self-test kits is sufficient. Namhee Lee, Director of the Medical Device Policy Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated yesterday, "Disruptive activities such as excessive high-price sales online have been confirmed," and added, "To stabilize prices, sales will be conducted through pharmacies and convenience stores, which have simpler distribution channels and ensured accessibility." The government plans to supply 70.8 million self-test kits domestically this month and 190 million next month.

In March 2020, a public mask 5-day rotation system notice was posted at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

This measure is similar to the so-called 'public mask' system implemented during the early COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, which limited supply and purchase methods through ▲pharmacy-only sales ▲fixed price of 1,500 won ▲'mask 5-day rotation system' based on birth year ▲purchase limit of 2 masks per person (later expanded to 10 masks). The 'public self-diagnosis kit' system may be revived following the public mask system.

Just as bulk-packaged masks were subdivided and sold directly at pharmacies responsible for public masks to improve distribution convenience, small-pack sales are also expected. Currently, self-test kits are classified as medical devices, so subdivided sales are generally not allowed. However, going forward, it will be possible for pharmacies and convenience stores to subdivide and sell self-test kits, which are mass-packaged by manufacturers, in single units to improve production efficiency.

However, there is no finalized policy yet regarding price restrictions. Although Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum mentioned the introduction of a 'maximum price system,' the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has stated that further review is needed. They plan to monitor price changes after the online sales ban and will consider introducing the system only if continuous price surges occur.