Netizens Reveal List of Restaurants Refusing and Discriminating Against Unvaccinated Individuals
On the 13th, it was revealed that some Tous Les Jours stores asked customers about their COVID-19 vaccination status and then placed stickers on beverage cups to indicate whether they had been vaccinated, sparking controversy. /Photo by Online Community Capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Recently, discrimination against unvaccinated individuals at restaurants and cafes has become a controversial issue. Although single customers are allowed to use the facilities regardless of vaccination status, there have been cases of refusal.
According to the food service industry on the 14th, businesses refusing service to unvaccinated customers have been increasingly rejecting even those unvaccinated individuals who present a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test certificate.
As a result, netizens have launched boycott campaigns against cafes and restaurants that refuse service to unvaccinated customers and are collecting reports of discriminatory establishments to publish lists. They share maps of 'restaurants refusing unvaccinated customers' and intend to avoid visiting these businesses to prevent discriminatory treatment.
Some argue that to prevent such situations, there should be penalties for self-employed business owners who refuse service to unvaccinated customers contrary to government guidelines.
Citizens are checking the validity of their quarantine passes to enter a large supermarket in Seoul. / Photo by Asia Economy
◆ Twosome Place stopped putting 'yellow stickers' on unvaccinated customers...
Earlier on the 13th, a post appeared on the anonymous workplace forum 'Blind' claiming that the franchise cafe Twosome Place was placing yellow stickers on coffee cups ordered by unvaccinated customers, sparking controversy.
The cafe explained that this measure was introduced in December last year to prevent unvaccinated customers from sharing tables during their visit. However, netizens expressed difficulty understanding this, saying things like, "It reminds me of the Nazis making Jews wear the Star of David," "Is being unvaccinated a crime?", "This is discrimination," and "I don't understand why they separate people when we already scan QR codes upon entry."
In response, on the 14th, Twosome Place apologized, stating, "This was implemented to actively comply with strengthened quarantine rules for the health and safety of customers, but we regret causing inconvenience contrary to our intentions," and announced the immediate suspension of the sticker operation.
◆ "I was treated like a beggar after visiting a restaurant"… A self-employed person's experience of discrimination
A notice stating that only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter is posted at the entrance of a karaoke room in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This is unrelated to the article. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, on the 12th, a self-employed person posted on the online community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I'm a Boss) that they were treated like a beggar after visiting a restaurant without having received the COVID-19 vaccine.
They stated, "I am unvaccinated. My parents experienced a stroke after vaccination and are still suffering from side effects. I was worried about getting vaccinated and thus had not been vaccinated."
They continued, "Since PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing allows restaurant visits, I visited the place I wanted to eat at, scanned the QR code, and showed my PCR test." According to their claim, the restaurant staff said, "You're unvaccinated? Why haven't you gotten vaccinated yet?"
The poster said, "I didn't want to talk about my parents, but when I explained the situation, their expression turned sour, and they threw side dishes down, saying, 'We'll just give it to you today, but next time you have to come vaccinated.' I am also self-employed, but I followed government policies and came to eat?why was I treated like a beggar begging for food? Do I eat for free?"
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