Locals and foreign nationals wait in line to get tested for COVID-19 at a screening site in Seoul’s Guro District on March 19, 2021. (Photo: Yonhap News)
Backlash continues to grow against recent administrative orders issued by Seoul city and Gyeonggi Province requiring all foreign workers to get tested for COVID-19.
Members of the foreign community in the capital opposed to the orders believe they are discriminatory and could lead to the spread of xenophobia.
The Korea Times reported late Thursday that James Kim, the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea), said he conveyed the foreign business community's concerns about the directives to the central government, indicating they will be "corrected."
But a Seoul Metropolitan Government official told TBS on Friday there was no update on a potential change to the order for foreign workers to get tested by the end of the month.
An official later called for active cooperation during a press briefing, reiterating the aim is to keep foreign workers safe.
Gyeonggi Province also confirmed no change to its administrative order, set to end next Monday.
Provincial spokesperson Kim Hong-kook said most foreign workers voluntarily got tested for COVID-19, adding they have yet to receive any formal complaints about discrimination.
Please send comments to tbsefmnews@gmail.com / copyright © tbs. Unauthorized redistribution prohibited.
