오늘부터 임시진료소 가동…3주간 집중검사
As South Korea continues to see a record number of daily COVID-19 cases with the greater Seoul area at the center of the recent viral resurgence, the nation's health authorities have opened dozens of free Covid-19 testing sites.
At these new sites that are set to run for the next three weeks, anyone can visit and get tested for Covid free of charge.
Our Choi Won-jong is at one of the testing centers in downtown Seoul right now.
Won-jong, how much foot traffic was there today and how do these tests work? Can you just walk in and get tested without having to identify yourself?
You're absolutely right, Conn-young. I'm here at Seoul station, let me just say... today is one of the coldest days we've had so far this season, but that did not stop people from getting tested.
The testing center is under these tents, and as you can see it's closed now, but it's open from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Starting today, health authorities will open 150 temporary testing sites like this one in the greater capital area in phases. That's on top of the more than 210 test sites that are currently in operation.
What I'd like to point out about these makeshift test centers is that the tests are free, you don't have to have any symptoms, and you don't have to give your name, just your phone number, so it's a little more anonymous.
Here's what one person said when we asked why she came to this particular site.
"I was trying to take the shortest possible route,... and I wanted to get tested quickly. Plus it's close to where I work."
There are three different types of tests being done here right now one is the usual PCR nasal swab, but there's also another type of nasal swab that's quicker but less accurate. They're also doing saliva tests, which again are quicker, giving a result in less than 30 minutes, but are less accurate too.
You can choose the test you want.
Once again, the tests are free, anonymous, and will be available for three weeks until January 3rd.
The sites are open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day, including weekends.
That's all I have for you now. Back to you.
Our Choi Wonjong live from one of the temporary Covid-19 testing sites being set up in downtown Seoul... where anyone can get tested anonymousy and free of charge.
Thank you, Wonjong.