The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that cats and dogs will be tested for Covid-19 if they show symptoms like improper breathing, fever, or coughing.

This was decided after a kitten tested positive for the virus in the southeastern city of Jinju.  It marked the first COVID case on an animal.

Disease control official, Park Yoo-mi had mentioned that there is no need for the pets to be put in isolation since it hasn’t been confirmed that Covid-19 can spread through humans and pets.

Yoo-Mi reminded everyone to keep their animals at a distance when they are walking them, as well as keeping their pets inside homes if they are sick and showing symptoms.

WJPS junior Nyla Briones said, “I don’t think that should even be happening or legal since that’s considered animal cruelty.”

Joanna Dalitsouris, a WJPS junior said, “I think there is still a lot we don’t know about Covid-19 and how and who it affects. Also, it’s so sad that even pets can be infected too.”

“Cat” by strogoscope is licensed under CC BY 2.0