Limited Introduction of 'Vaccine Pass'... Negative Test Validity Extended to '48 Hours + α'

COVID-19 Vaccination Electronic Certificate
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Starting next month, a limited introduction of the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system will be implemented as a temporary measure for the 'gradual recovery of daily life (With Corona).' This Korean version of the 'vaccine pass' allows only those who have completed COVID-19 vaccination or have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result to enter and use certain multi-use facilities.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a 'Public Hearing on the COVID-19 Gradual Recovery Implementation Plan' at 2 p.m. on the 25th at the Korea Press Center and unveiled a draft government plan for the daily recovery promotion strategy. The draft includes changing the quarantine strategy to focus on vaccinated individuals, relaxing quarantine rules as much as possible when only vaccinated people use facilities, and introducing the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system considering transmission risks and high-risk groups.

Accordingly, the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system will be introduced in some high-risk infection facilities. Among the multi-use facility groups classified by infection risk, Group 2 (karaoke rooms, bathhouses, indoor sports facilities, etc.) and Group 3 (entertainment facilities, colatecs, dance halls, etc.), approximately 130,000 facilities, as well as medical institutions, nursing home visitations, facilities for severely disabled dementia patients, senior centers, welfare centers for the elderly and disabled, and other vulnerable facilities, along with large-scale events and gatherings, are subject to this system.

However, for entertainment facilities, only vaccinated individuals are allowed entry. Children and adolescents, who are fundamentally prohibited from entry, as well as those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and PCR negative individuals, are all not allowed to enter. Also, children and adolescents and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons cannot use visitation or elderly and disabled facilities.

Other multi-use facilities will not apply the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system, allowing vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to use them together with a maximum of 10 people. However, for restaurants and cafes among multi-use facilities, measures to limit the usage scale for unvaccinated individuals are being considered. Considering that currently unvaccinated individuals can gather in private meetings with up to four people, a plan allowing only 2 to 3 unvaccinated individuals per group to enter is likely.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system will also apply to large-scale events and gatherings. In the first phase of easing quarantine, events and gatherings with fewer than 100 people can be held regardless of vaccination status, but for gatherings of 100 to less than 500 people, only vaccinated individuals can participate. For temporary performances, sports competitions, festivals, etc., exceeding 500 people, the impact will be evaluated through pilot operations after approval by the relevant ministries and local governments.

From the second phase of easing, expected around mid-December, large-scale events will be possible without personnel limits if operated under the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system. If all participants are vaccinated or have a PCR negative certificate, a large-scale K-pop concert with 30,000 attendees will be possible. From then on, the same measures will apply to large-scale events such as weddings, first birthday parties, fairs, exhibitions, various competitions, festivals, concerts, and gatherings.

The vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system primarily targets vaccinated individuals or those with PCR negative confirmation. However, it also includes children and adolescents under 18 and those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical contraindications. For those unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, if they register with a medical opinion or diagnosis at a public health center, the related information will be entered into the COVID-19 vaccination certificate application (app) CooV, enabling verification thereafter.

Jung Tong-ryeong, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters' general coordination team, explained, "The negative test certificate is valid for 48 hours plus alpha from the time the negative result is notified." In principle, the validity is recognized for 48 hours, but to prevent confusion, additional time until midnight on the expiration day is granted. For example, if the negative result is notified at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the certificate can be used until midnight on Friday, not just until 2 p.m. on Friday.

However, those who have recovered from COVID-19, who are sometimes included as vaccine pass subjects overseas, are not included if they have not been vaccinated. Son Young-rae, head of the social strategy division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "Currently, the number of recovered patients in Korea is small, and vaccination is recommended, so they are being considered for exclusion for now." However, there remains a possibility that confirmed cases will be included during the opinion-gathering process until the final plan is announced on the 29th.

Medical staff are collecting specimens at a temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, if the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system is introduced, the demand for PCR tests among unvaccinated individuals wishing to use facilities may increase. Jung Tong-ryeong acknowledged, "There is a possibility that test demand will increase somewhat," but added, "Currently, we have sufficient PCR testing infrastructure to handle the number of tests until confirmed cases surge significantly." However, he added, "If the epidemic worsens further and PCR tests for facility entry increase, we will consider measures including charging for tests."

Authorities plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system after the first phase of easing quarantine measures and consider lifting the system first in lower-risk facilities from the second phase of easing.