"Denied Entry When Hearing 'Ding Dong'?... Ongoing Controversy Over Human Rights Violations and Discrimination Against Unvaccinated Individuals"

Starting Next Month 3rd, 'Ding Dong' Alert Sound When Quarantine Pass Expires
Citizens Criticize as "Excessive Measure" and "Human Rights Violation" Flood

A notice for verifying the quarantine pass is posted at the entrance of the Central Library of Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Asia Economy DB.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "The quarantine pass is a violation of human rights," "Isn't it an excessive measure when unvaccinated people are not criminals?"

The government has announced the introduction of a 'Dingdong' alert sound for the COVID-19 quarantine pass (vaccination certificate/negative test confirmation) for unvaccinated individuals or those whose validity period has expired starting from the 3rd of next month, sparking strong public backlash. Critics argue that this policy could lead to human rights violations and discrimination against the unvaccinated. Some even criticize the measure as stigmatizing unvaccinated people as 'social criminals' beyond merely distinguishing them.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) stated at a regular briefing on the 27th, "We have improved the electronic certificate authentication system so that facility operators can easily recognize the vaccination status of users through audio guidance."

From January 3rd next year, the validity period for vaccination certificates will be enforced, and certificates issued more than 180 days after the second dose will no longer be valid. Accordingly, unvaccinated individuals or those who completed the basic COVID-19 vaccination more than six months ago but have not received an additional (third) dose will be denied entry to facilities requiring the quarantine pass. However, the first week (January 3-9) will be a grace period.

According to the CDCH, when a QR code is scanned in the updated authentication system, different alert sounds will be played depending on whether the validity period has expired. Currently, the message "14 days have passed since vaccination completion" is announced, but going forward, only those with a valid certificate will hear "Vaccination completed." Conversely, if a certificate with an expired six-month validity is shown, a 'Dingdong' alert sound will be played.

When the 'Dingdong' sound is heard, facility managers must verify whether the unvaccinated person qualifies for exceptions (PCR negative confirmation, COVID-19 recovery, under 18, vaccination exemption) and inform those without a quarantine pass that facility use is not permitted.

A sign informing about the application of the quarantine pass is posted at a restaurant in downtown Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Asia Economy DB.

The government maintains that this policy allows business owners to efficiently check the expiration status of quarantine passes. However, citizens define this as a human rights violation against the unvaccinated. The very act of the 'Dingdong' sound publicly revealing unvaccinated status to an unspecified number of people is seen as a violation of human rights.

Kim, a 25-year-old office worker who has not been vaccinated, said, "Vaccination is a personal freedom, so I don't understand why we have to be so conscious of society. Even at lunch at work, I feel awkward because I can't eat together, and now they say there will be a warning sound." He added, "Breakthrough infections keep happening even after vaccination. It seems the government is encouraging discrimination against the unvaccinated."

There is also public opinion that treating unvaccinated people like criminals is inappropriate. Criminals can use facilities such as restaurants and cafes, so restricting entry just because someone is unvaccinated is not proper.

Jeon, a 28-year-old office worker who completed the second Moderna vaccine dose in October, said, "Even a person caught in the act of a crime doesn't trigger a warning sound when entering a restaurant. But unvaccinated people do. Do you think this is an appropriate measure?" He raised his voice, saying, "To avoid the warning sound, you have to keep getting additional doses every few months, which is too excessive."

He added, "I have a friend who had severe side effects after vaccination, so I don't want to get a booster shot. Vaccination is a personal freedom."

Photo by Blue House National Petition Board screen capture.

This controversy over discrimination against the unvaccinated is not new. Previously, some cafes and restaurants refused entry to unvaccinated individuals with PCR negative certificates, causing controversy.

Since the 18th, under strengthened social distancing rules, unvaccinated people can only use restaurants and cafes alone or if they have a negative PCR test result. However, some establishments refuse unvaccinated people altogether, citing infection concerns or their own policies.

As the situation unfolds, petitions related to discrimination against the unvaccinated have been continuously posted on the Blue House's public petition board. On the 23rd, a petition titled "Please stop blaming the unvaccinated for the spread of infection and socially ostracizing them" was posted.

The petitioner, who identified as a 30-something office worker, opened by saying, "Even those who have completed the second and third doses can still infect and spread the virus, and discriminatory policies are being introduced against unvaccinated people who cannot get vaccinated due to underlying conditions or health reasons."

He criticized, "From January 3, 2022, unvaccinated people will trigger a warning sound when scanning QR codes at restaurants. This is interpreted as an attempt to socially isolate the unvaccinated and is a clear human rights violation and unfair treatment."

He emphasized, "Of course, despite various personal circumstances, I believe those who have completed vaccination for themselves and others should be rewarded or incentivized, but that does not mean unvaccinated people should be disadvantaged."

Meanwhile, health authorities stated that the quarantine pass is a protective measure for the unvaccinated. Son Youngrae, head of the social strategy division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said at a briefing on the 27th, "(The quarantine pass) is not a measure aimed at unvaccinated people spreading the virus to others but a protective measure to prevent unvaccinated people from getting infected." He added, "Please refrain from banning unvaccinated people from entering facilities as much as possible."