Unvaccinated Individuals Complain "I Can't Even Buy Food with My Own Money"
SNS Emerges Sharing Stores Discriminating Against Unvaccinated
Secondhand Market Sees 'Quarantine Pass Black Market' Listings
A citizen is receiving a vaccine at the vaccination center set up in Sadang Sports Complex, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Asia Economy DB.
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Are unvaccinated people not customers?", "Isn't this discrimination against the unvaccinated?"
As the government recently strengthened social distancing measures, unvaccinated individuals are now only allowed to use restaurants and cafes alone. This measure has sparked complaints among the unvaccinated. While it is understood as a strengthened quarantine measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, critics point out that unvaccinated people are effectively socially isolated since they can only use multi-use facilities like restaurants and cafes alone.
Meanwhile, some establishments have sparked controversy by outright refusing entry to unvaccinated individuals. The quarantine authorities stated that there are no legal provisions to punish restaurants that refuse entry to unvaccinated people under current laws.
On the 21st, various online communities and social networking services (SNS) continued to share complaints from unvaccinated individuals who were denied entry at restaurants.
One netizen, who identified as unvaccinated, shared on an online community, "I went to a restaurant alone today, and they asked if I was unvaccinated. When I said yes, they apologized," and added, "If they are going to refuse unvaccinated people, I wish they would post a large notice in front of the restaurant. This situation is awkward for everyone."
Another netizen posted on a mom caf?, "I was refused entry at a restaurant because I am unvaccinated," and said, "I didn’t break any laws. I don’t meet people often, and I don’t go to places where I talk for a long time without a mask, but I was so upset that I cried. It’s so sad that I can’t even eat at a restaurant with my own money because I’m unvaccinated."
Unvaccinated individuals are creating and sharing a 'List of Businesses Rejecting Unvaccinated People' on social media. Photo by Instagram screenshot.
Following the government's strengthened social distancing measures, from the 18th of this month until the 2nd of next month, the maximum number of private gatherings has been reduced to four people regardless of whether in the metropolitan area or non-metropolitan areas.
Also, unvaccinated individuals without a quarantine pass (vaccination certificate or negative test confirmation) are only allowed to dine alone ('honbap') or use takeout/delivery services at restaurants or cafes. However, exceptions apply to those who have tested negative on a PCR test within 48 hours, those under 18 years old, COVID-19 recovered patients, and those who cannot be vaccinated for unavoidable reasons.
Nevertheless, some restaurants have ignored these guidelines and banned unvaccinated people from using their restaurants or cafes, citing infection concerns or their own policies.
In response, unvaccinated individuals are sharing lists of businesses that refuse entry on SNS. On the 20th, an Instagram account shared a list of restaurants refusing unvaccinated customers. Reporters complained, "I was even refused for 'honbap'," "I brought a certificate and visited with acquaintances, but was told I could only eat alone," "Absolutely no entry," "I brought a PCR negative certificate, but was told only takeout is allowed," sharing store names and branches with dissatisfaction. However, the account has since been deleted.
Unvaccinated people claim this is 'reverse discrimination' and express frustration. Office worker Kim (25) said, "I didn’t get vaccinated because I’m allergic. But I can’t eat lunch with my coworkers, so I feel awkward," adding, "I feel so pressured that I’m thinking about getting vaccinated forcibly. They said there would be no discrimination against the unvaccinated, but if this isn’t discrimination, then what is?"
A student is showing a COVID-19 vaccination certificate at the entrance of Yonsei University Central Library in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Some unvaccinated individuals have even illegally bought and sold quarantine passes on secondhand trading sites. Recently, on the secondhand trading platform 'Danggeun Market,' a user posted, 'Rent a vaccinated Naver ID for 50,000 won.' It appears they intend to borrow an account of a vaccinated person to log in on their phone and use the quarantine pass with someone else’s certificate. Danggeun Market confirmed that this transaction is prohibited and immediately deleted the post.
Meanwhile, regarding the refusal of entry to unvaccinated individuals, quarantine authorities stated that "there are no legal provisions for punishment under current laws." Son Youngrae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, explained at the COVID-19 briefing on the 20th, "Penalties for violating the quarantine pass apply when many unvaccinated people without PCR negative certificates enter a place, resulting in fines. Conversely, if unvaccinated people are banned from entering a business, fines under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act cannot be imposed."
However, Son added, "If complaints are filed with local governments regarding consumer protection regulations or discrimination, internal jurisdiction will be established based on how those complaints are handled," and "We will investigate related matters."
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