<Anchor> In



accordance with the medical system tailored to Omicron, from tomorrow (29th), rapid antigen testing will be conducted at corona screening centers across the country. There are a lot of things to prepare as we have to do the existing diagnostic tests together, so I'll connect a reporter who is out of the field.



Reporter Han Seong-hee. Everyone has a lot of trouble ahead of the holidays. Are you ready now?



<Reporter>



Yes, it is at the temporary screening center in Mok-dong, Seoul.



Currently, the existing PCR test is being conducted. From tomorrow, the rapid antigen test will start for people in their 50s or younger who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.



Looking behind me, a tent is being installed, and a separate space is being created to wait for the results of the rapid antigen test.



About 2,000 people have been subjected to PCR tests a day here, and the laboratory expects that about 1,000 people, half, will receive the rapid antigen test tomorrow.



In preparation for this, 1,600 test kits have already been delivered.



The rapid antigen test is done by the person himself, and we have assigned separate staff to guide the test method.



The test kit is free, but in principle, you have to complete the test on-site and cannot take it home.



<Anchor>



As more and more people are trying to buy self-test kits, there have been reports that even if you go to the pharmacy, there are no items. How much is in stock?



<Reporter>



Yes, as rapid antigen testing has expanded, the demand for self-test kits has also increased.



I looked around 10 pharmacies in Mok-dong and Jongno, Seoul today, and there were quite a few places where self-test kits were out of stock.



[Lee Eung-Joo / Pharmacist: Almost everyone who comes in is looking for a self-diagnosis kit.

There are so many people who take 10 at a time, and (so) there is a limit on quantity purchases.]



The government said the supply shortage was temporary and said that production was sufficient for some regions.



Self-inspection kits are produced in Korea at a maximum of 7.5 million per day, and up to 16 million, including professional kits, is sufficient even if the amount of testing increases.



The government announced that it is strengthening the management of hoarding and price spikes in the distribution process by forming a supply-demand response task force to check production and supply.



(Video coverage: Oh Young-chun, video editing: Nam Il)