People rush to take free virus test

People line up to receive COVID-19 tests at a makeshift testing booth in front of Seoul Station, Tuesday. Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

Long lines have formed in front of makeshift COVID-19 testing centers around Seoul as citizens rush to undergo free testing.

Health authorities have set up 150 makeshift testing booths in Seoul and surrounding areas since Monday to provide free diagnostic tests through Jan. 3 even to those who have not come into contact with virus patients.

The preemptive measure to expand the number of people being tested has come as the nation is experiencing a third wave of the pandemic with a growing number of asymptomatic patients.

As people can also receive tests without providing personal information other than their mobile numbers, many visited the clinics with an intention to relieve anxiety regardless of whether they have any symptoms.

“I got a phone call from my workplace on Monday that a confirmed patient visited the cafeteria in my workplace on Friday,” said Park Soo-youl, 67, who lives in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.

“Although it was unlikely for me to have come in contact with the person as I visited there at a different time, I wanted to make sure that I'm totally okay because I spent all day with my five-year-old grandson on Saturday,” Park said.

Lee Yoon-ji, 26, an owner of two nail care salons in Nowon District, Seoul, said she visited a community health center to receive a test even though she didn't show any symptoms and had no knowledge of having come into contact with a confirmed patient.

“To be honest, I wanted to relieve my own concerns because I meet a lot of random people at my nail shop every day, but at the same time, I thought I would be able to reassure my customers if I show them my test result showing I tested negative,” Lee said. “I asked four of my staff working at the salons to take the test today also, just to make sure we're all fine.”

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Tuesday, there were 880 coronavirus infections for Monday, including 848 local cases, raising the total caseload to 44,363. Among the locally transmitted cases, 246 were reported in Seoul, 274 in Gyeonggi Province and 55 in Incheon, west of Seoul. Thirteen additional deaths were reported, raising the toll to 600.

After a brief fall the previous day, the daily new cases bounced back to almost 900.

Currently, Level 2.5 social distancing regulations are in effect in the greater Seoul area, but the scheme is not enough to curb the spread of the virus in winter.

Although the government believes that distancing measures in and of themselves have a limited effect and calls are growing for the government to raise the level to the highest, the government is determined to observe the virus trends until later this week.

“In a situation where the number of patients is increasing, we see that social distancing alone cannot produce enough of an effect,” Son Young-rae, a ministry spokesman, said at a regular press briefing at the government complex in Sejong.

“Huge economic damage caused by raising measures to Level 3 is expected, especially for small business owners. Although we have set the standards for raising the level, social consensus for the necessity, timing and method is required,” Son said.

Level 2.5 of the social distancing scheme allows gatherings of fewer than 50 people and sports events without spectators, while more restrictions will be implemented under Level 3, with any gatherings of 10 or more people to be banned.