"No Vaccine Pass Required for Entry" ... Seoul Large Marts Suspend Operation of Quarantine Pass

On the 9th, one day before the expansion of the quarantine pass to department stores and large marts, customers visiting Yangjae Hanara-ro Mart in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are verifying their vaccination status through QR codes before entering the mart. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] "You can enter just by checking the QR code (electronic entry log)."

Following the court's decision to suspend the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine pass measures for stores, marts, and department stores in the Seoul area, department stores and large marts located in Seoul have collectively decided to stop operating the vaccine pass system.

According to the distribution industry on the 15th, Lotte Mart suspended the operation of the vaccine pass for its stores in the Seoul area starting from 6 p.m. the previous day. Emart also issued instructions to suspend the vaccine pass operation at its Seoul stores from the same evening.

Department stores located in Seoul have also stopped operating the vaccine pass and are verifying visitors using QR check-in or safe call methods as before.

Earlier, the Administrative Court of Seoul, Administrative Division 4 (Chief Judge Han Won-gyo), partially accepted the injunction (suspension of effectiveness) application filed by Professor Jo Doo-hyung of Yeungnam University Medical School, medical professionals, religious figures, and 1,023 others against the Mayor of Seoul on the 14th. Accordingly, the vaccine pass measures applied to stores, marts, and department stores over 3,000㎡ in the Seoul area since the 10th have been suspended.

The court judged that while restaurants and cafes have a higher risk of infection due to difficulty in wearing masks, stores, marts, and department stores have a relatively lower risk compared to restaurants and cafes where eating mainly takes place. It explained that the risk can be further reduced through density restrictions or strengthened quarantine rules rather than the vaccine pass.

Department stores and large marts welcomed the decision ahead of the weekend and the Seollal holiday. There were concerns that if many customers gather at once on weekends, additional staff would need to be hired to check the vaccine pass, which could cause congestion at entrances and inconvenience customers.

A representative from a large mart said, "Since the court's decision is limited to Seoul, vaccine pass measures are still being applied at stores in other regions," adding, "We will respond as soon as the government issues additional detailed guidelines."