Following the Coronavirus outbreak, foreigners in Seoul, South Korea, without health insurance, will be eligible to receive face masks for free. Wearing a face mask in Korea's public space is a must, but the sale of these masks is state-controlled, making it difficult for foreigners staying in Korea without social security to receive such masks.
Every foreign citizen living in Seoul Main is entitled to receive up to 5 disposable or cloth masks and 5 filters. The masks are distributed in 41 different centers in the city of Seoul Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 20:00, and on weekends at 10:00 to 17:00:
- Global Center (Seoul, Southwest)
- Foreign Workers Center (Seongdong, Geumcheon, Eunpyeong, Gangdong, Seongbuk, Yangcheon)
- Global Village Center (Yeonnam, Yeoksam, Seorae, Itaewon, Ichon, Seongbuk, Geumcheon)
- Global Cultural Center
- Counseling Center for Migrant Women
- Healthy Family, Multicultural Family Support Centers (24 locations)
A passport or ARC is required to collect the masks, but another person may come with a power of attorney along with the passport with the ARC of the applicant.
Note that foreign students studying in Seoul will only be able to receive the masks at the University where they study.
The request for masks must be made online at the Seoul Global Center website: http://global.seoul.go.kr/index.do?site_code=8102&sel_lang=2
Foreigners who have a working visa and who already work as employees of any company are entitled to purchase masks the usual way as any other Korean citizen.
