"Entry Allowed with Payment Only"... Are Clubs Offering a 'Free Pass' Instead of a 'Quarantine Pass'?

Inquiry About Entry to Clubs Subject to 'Quarantine Pass'
"Unvaccinated Individuals Can Also Enter," Guidance Given
Many Clubs Do Not Verify Vaccination Certificates Even During Adjustment Period
Due to Crowded Club Conditions, Individual Verification Seems Difficult

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] "It's originally not allowed... Please don't spread rumors around."

At around 5 p.m. on the 8th, in a group chat room on the messenger KakaoTalk related to clubs, where about 500 people participated, promotional messages from sales managers (MDs) flooded as the club opening time approached. The messages were about finding customers who would come to the club through table reservations or so-called ‘jogak’ (a method where several people pool money to share a table). Clubs are classified as entertainment facilities and are subject to the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass). Therefore, entry is not possible without a vaccination certificate, a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result, or documents proving exemption from the quarantine pass, but few provided such guidance.

In fact, when asking an MD of a club in the Gangnam area, "Is it possible for unvaccinated people to enter the club this weekend?" the immediate answer was "Yes, it is possible." He sent a price list showing alcohol prices and seat charts and offered to help with entry by meeting at the entrance and personally escorting customers to their seats if they chose their desired spot. He also added a request not to disclose that unvaccinated people were secretly admitted. Another MD confidently assured the same question, saying, "You can enter without a quarantine pass." He said, "They only check when entering or testing, so the quarantine pass doesn't mean much," and added, "Guests (free entry customers) are different, but customers who spend a lot of money can be let in somehow."

It has been confirmed that some clubs in Seoul, where the ‘quarantine pass’ applies, are attracting customers by allowing entry without vaccination certificates or negative test results. Although they do not openly advertise this, insiders say that customers who spend a lot of money or have close relationships can enter without vaccination certificates through informal arrangements.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Currently, about 10 clubs in Seoul, including Gangnam, Itaewon, and Hongdae, are understood to be open. Most open in the early afternoon and operate until midnight. Some operate as so-called ‘after clubs’ that open from early morning until daytime or operate in two shifts. Most club officials who were asked about entry by reporters responded that "you can enter even without a quarantine pass." Some said they would try to find a way to allow entry depending on the situation, but none flatly refused entry citing quarantine guidelines.

Even during the quarantine pass guidance period applied to entertainment facilities last weekend, many clubs admitted customers without properly checking vaccination status. Clubs were under a one-week quarantine pass guidance period from the 1st to the 7th, coinciding with the transition to phased daily recovery (With Corona), but it ended at midnight the day before. During the guidance period, violations are not penalized separately. This does not suspend the application of the quarantine pass itself but means that the system is applied while not punishing violations to help the system settle. However, some clubs promoted as if the quarantine pass was not applied during this period and even used this for customer attraction. Compared to other industries where the quarantine pass applies, such as bathhouses or gyms, clubs are dark inside and crowded, making it practically difficult to check each person entering without a quarantine pass. Therefore, it is uncertain whether enforcement itself is possible.

The government launched a joint special inspection team on the 4th to conduct a comprehensive crackdown on violations of quarantine rules. If entering without a quarantine pass, users of the facility will be fined 100,000 won per violation. Managers or operators may be fined 1.5 million won for the first violation and 3 million won for the second violation. For non-compliance with quarantine guidelines, the first violation may result in a suspension order from 10 days, the third violation up to 3 months, and the fourth violation may lead to facility closure orders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.