SEOUL, South Korea - Pet cats and dogs in the capital city of South Korea will be tested for COVID-19 for free if they come into contact with infected humans and show symptoms.In an online briefing, Seoul official Park Yoo-mi said that pets found infected with the virus must be quarantined at their homes or a city-run facility for 14 days.
The announcement comes after a cat in the southeastern city of Jinju became the country’s first animal confirmed to have COVID-19.
The animal belongs to a mother and daughter who were among dozens of confirmed patients associated with a Jinju religious facility.
Last week, the central government released guidelines on virus tests for pets. Park said officials are ready to conduct free tests of pets.