Discussion on 6-Month Validity of Quarantine Pass After Vaccination... "Heated Debate on Youth Quarantine Pass"

On the 25th, the COVID-19 screening clinic at Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul was crowded with citizens seeking tests. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the government postponed the comprehensive announcement of quarantine measures scheduled for today to the 29th, it has been confirmed that there was a heated debate over the expansion of the quarantine pass (vaccination completion·negative test certificate) at the Recovery Support Committee meeting held the day before. The government is also considering setting the validity period of the quarantine pass to 6 months after completing the basic vaccination.

Lee Gi-il, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing on the 26th, "At the Recovery Support Committee meeting held the day before, a plan to apply the quarantine pass to adolescents under 18 was proposed," adding, "In particular, karaoke rooms, bathhouses, and events with more than 100 people were discussed. Many people expressed the need for it, but small business owners and self-employed people opposed it."

Lee also said, "There were many opinions regarding compensation for losses," and added, "There was a strong opinion from representatives of self-employed and dining industry associations that if quarantine measures are strengthened through social distancing, the losses will increase accordingly, and if quarantine rules are strengthened, compensation for losses must be provided as a package."

The plan to set the validity period of the quarantine pass was also discussed.

Lee said, "Various expansions of the quarantine pass were also discussed the day before," and "There was a discussion about setting the validity period, and a plan to set it at 6 months considering the booster vaccination period was also discussed." Currently, the validity period of the quarantine pass is being decided through analysis of cases in various countries and domestic situations by several expert committees centered on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the results will be announced in the comprehensive quarantine measures on the 29th.

Regarding the basis for setting the validity period to 6 months after the basic vaccination, he explained, "(For seniors aged 60 and over) booster shots can be administered 4 months after the basic vaccination, and for people in their 50s, booster shots are scheduled 5 months later," adding, "Since there is about a one-month period to receive the booster shot after 5 months, 6 months is being considered."