Anchor: Amid fierce criticism against an order that requires all foreign workers to be tested for COVID-19, quarantine authorities have asked local governments to test both Koreans and foreigners working at virus-prone facilities. The original order had triggered strong backlash from the foreign community for being discriminatory. 
Kim In-kyung has this report. 

Report: Quarantine authorities have asked local governments to test both Korean and foreign workers at facilities at higher risk for COVID-19. 
 
The guideline comes after some local governments came under fire for making it mandatory for all foreign workers living in their jurisdiction to be tested for COVID-19. 

The directive drew immediate criticism as being discriminatory. While Seoul has since amended the order to a recommendation, others have not. 
 
Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said in a meeting on Monday that the Central Disaster Management Headquarters has asked the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and local governments to clarify the testing method so that both Korean and foreign workers at high-risk locations are tested. 

He said that some ten cities and provinces have ordered all foreign workers to be tested. Noting that the measures have prompted concerns of discrimination and human rights violation, the minister said there has been a misunderstanding that only foreign, and not Korean, workers at high-risk businesses have been instructed to be tested. 

He said the government aims to keep every member of the community safe from infection without discrimination. 

He added that foreign workers, including those staying illegally in South Korea, can get tested anonymously and receive medical support. 

Last Monday, the National Human Rights Commission told local governments not to force foreigners to be tested for COVID-19, saying that a person's nationality doesn't determine whether they will be infected. 

Calling the order discriminatory, the commission said the central and local governments should improve the working and living conditions of foreign workers. 
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.