"Disadvantages for Unvaccinated"... Criticism Arises Over Introduction of 'Vaccine Pass'

Controversy Over Discrimination Against Unvaccinated... "Vaccination Is a Personal Choice"
Exceptions Apply for Under 18 and Medical Reasons

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] Starting next month, as the COVID-19 quarantine system transitions to 'With COVID,' controversy has arisen over the government's announcement to introduce a 'vaccine pass' for certain multi-use facilities.

According to the government's draft for easing quarantine measures released on the 25th, restrictions on operating hours for restaurants and cafes will be lifted. However, when using entertainment facilities, singing rooms, indoor sports facilities (gyms, table tennis halls, screen golf courses, billiard halls, bowling alleys), bathhouses, horse racing and cycling venues, casinos, etc., a vaccination certificate or a negative test result will be required.

The government states that the vaccine pass is introduced as a 'safety measure' to minimize cluster infections while keeping multi-use facilities open, but unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals will face restrictions on using these facilities starting next month.

Unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals must present a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) negative test certificate to use these facilities, but the certificate is only valid for about two days after issuance. This has led to criticism that the measure is a significant practical restriction.

There are also many criticisms that the introduction of the 'vaccine pass' constitutes discrimination and disadvantages against the unvaccinated. The government initially allowed individuals to choose vaccination, but this is seen as effectively forcing vaccination. Among netizens, opinions such as "Getting vaccinated is a personal choice," "Many people with underlying conditions cannot get vaccinated," and "It is inappropriate to disadvantage the unvaccinated" are being expressed.

Furthermore, small business owners and self-employed operators of these facilities are deeply concerned about the system set to be implemented next month. They voice worries such as "Are they trying to cause gym membership cancellations...?" and "Are they telling us to turn away regular customers just because they are unvaccinated?"

Some also criticize the inconsistency that restaurants and cafes, where masks must inevitably be removed, can be used freely without vaccination certificates or negative test results, while facilities like billiard halls and bowling alleys, where masks can be worn, face usage restrictions, calling this difficult to understand.

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Capture

On the Blue House's national petition board, petitions opposing the introduction of the vaccine pass are continuously being posted.

In a petition titled "Oppose the Vaccine Pass" posted on October 1st, the petitioner emphasized, "The current vaccine is not the answer," and asked, "Can vaccination be forcibly imposed on those who cannot complete vaccination due to personal illnesses, constitution, allergies, or side effects?"

Meanwhile, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters responded to such criticisms by explaining, "We believe that vaccination proof or negative test results are necessary only for certain facilities where mask-wearing is difficult and where indoor activities and prolonged stays pose a high risk of infection."

However, the government plans to apply exceptions to the 'vaccine pass' for children and adolescents under 18 years old and those who cannot be vaccinated due to allergic reactions or other unavoidable reasons.