Self-Test Kit Purchase Restrictions Extended Until the End of March

Available Only at Pharmacies and Convenience Stores
Limit of 5 Items per Purchase, Sale Price Capped at 6,000 Won

On the 13th, an official at Yuseong Pharmacy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is posting a notice regarding the purchase of COVID-19 self-test kits. According to distribution improvement measures, online sales of self-test kits are prohibited from this day until March 5, and the quantity that individuals can purchase at pharmacies and convenience stores is limited to five kits per transaction. However, there is no restriction on purchasing multiple times a day, and online stock can be sold until the 16th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The government will extend the distribution improvement measures for rapid antigen test kits, originally scheduled until the 5th of next month, until the end of next month.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, the government held the 'Rapid Antigen Test Kit Supply Response Task Force (TF)' at the Government Seoul Office and made this decision.

Accordingly, online sales of rapid antigen test kits will be prohibited until the end of next month, and they can only be purchased at convenience stores and pharmacies. The purchase quantity per person per transaction will also be limited to 5 kits, and the selling price will be maintained at 6,000 KRW per kit.

The government stated, "Currently, market disturbances such as hoarding and profiteering, which frequently occurred in the early supply phase of test kits, as well as nationwide shortages, have disappeared, and the supply and demand in the private sector, centered on pharmacies and convenience stores, are stabilizing." However, it added, "Illegal activities such as the sale of counterfeit kits online and bulk purchases through multiple sellers still remain, so continuous inspection and management will be necessary going forward."

The government plans to supply approximately 210 million rapid antigen test kits next month. It will provide 110 million kits to the public sector, including screening clinics, children, elementary to high school students and staff, pregnant women, basic livelihood security recipients, and persons with severe disabilities, providing 1 to 2 kits per week. In the private sector, such as convenience stores and pharmacies, about 20 million kits will be supplied weekly.