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As the demand for self-inspection kits is skyrocketing, they complain that even if the plant is operated without stopping, it is not enough in the field.
The government has said that it will supply more than double the current supply next month.
Correspondent Kim A-young reported.
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A self-test kit manufacturing plant in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do.
The machine runs continuously and the test kit is completed.
[유정덕/제조업체 직원]
“After assembly, it is weak against humidity, so to maintain humidity, we put silica gel (moisture absorbent) here.”
About 2.2 million test kits are produced every day.
However, 700 employees working 12-hour shifts is not enough to handle the order volume.
[유정덕/제조업체 직원]
“A lot of the workers sit like this for 10 or 12 hours, so they are very tired (a lot)”
Automated equipment is also lacking, and some production is assembled by hand.
“The subdivision for packaging self-test kits is also done by hand, and usually 20 or 1,000 pieces are packed and delivered to convenience stores or pharmacies.”
As such, it is difficult for producers to obtain equipment and manpower in a short period of time, so they cannot cope with the rapidly increasing demand.
But as more factories automate equipment, so does production.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety predicted that next month, it will be able to supply 190 million people, twice the amount this month.
[김진석/식품의약품안전처 차장]
“We are also looking forward to the situation where the supply and demand situation for self-test kits will become smooth soon.”
Distributing self-test kits for corona tests before school starts before school starts.
[김주혜/유치원 교사]
“On the day of the test, you can come here like this. Okay? (Yes)”
The government plans to provide 60.5 million self-test kits to kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools across the country by next month.
This is Kim Ah-young from MBC News.
Video coverage: Heo Won-cheol / Video editing: Oh Yu-rim
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