"Free Coffee for Unvaccinated"…What Do You Think About Self-Employed People Opposing Quarantine Guidelines?

"Feeling pressured, right?"... Cafe posts notice 'Free coffee for unvaccinated'
Large cafe in Incheon declares '24-hour operation'

On the 22nd, self-employed participants at the "Self-Employed General Rally" held at Gwanghwamun Citizen Open Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urged the suspension of business restrictions and the quarantine pass system, as well as compensation for losses. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Free coffee for unvaccinated individuals," "Cafe open 24 hours as usual."

Since the government implemented strict social distancing guidelines on the 18th, self-employed business owners have been strongly opposing them. Some self-employed individuals have expressed anger toward the government and refused to comply with the quarantine guidelines. Following cafes that declared '24-hour operation' in protest against the operating hour restrictions, cafes offering free coffee to unvaccinated customers have also emerged.

Citizens have shown mixed opinions about businesses violating quarantine rules. While some voices support self-employed people who have suffered huge losses due to the nearly two-year-long COVID-19 crisis, others argue that violating quarantine rules amid a surge in cases is inappropriate.

The government decided to enforce strengthened quarantine measures from the 18th until January 2 of next year. The main points include △a maximum of 4 people for private gatherings △operating hours limited to 9 p.m. △unvaccinated individuals not allowed to dine or sit together in restaurants and cafes.

However, among self-employed business owners who had hoped for year-end sales, cases of refusal have been continuously reported. On the 21st, a franchise cafe in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, attracted attention by announcing it would provide free coffee to unvaccinated individuals in opposition to the government's quarantine guidelines.

A cafe in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, has declared that it will provide free coffee to unvaccinated individuals. Photo by Online Community Screenshot.

In a notice posted in the store, owner A wrote, "Unvaccinated individuals are not virus carriers," and added, "Have you been struggling because of societal pressure? If you come and quietly say 'unvaccinated,' we will provide free coffee as a form of support. Stay strong. We support you."

A also cited Article 10 and Article 12, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution, claiming that the quarantine pass (vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system) is unconstitutional. He also stated that this was unrelated to the headquarters' policy. He included hashtags such as #AntiQuarantinePass and #UnconstitutionalPolicy.

After the notice spread through online communities and social networking services (SNS), it sparked controversy. Netizens supporting A commented, "It must not be easy to show such courage. The world is still worth living because of just and righteous businesses like this," "Thanks to this good-hearted owner, the cold winter feels warmer," and "As an unvaccinated person, I would rather buy a cup than drink free coffee."

On the other hand, critical responses included, "I don't understand why they hold such events, and I don't think it's something to applaud. Isn't this noise marketing?" and "With thousands of confirmed cases daily, I don't understand why they insist on events for unvaccinated people."

As the controversy continued, it was reported that A removed the notice at the request of the franchise headquarters. Later, through his Instagram, A said, "I know it's like throwing eggs at a rock, but I will throw them anyway," and questioned, "If we don't even throw these eggs and all just stay silent, will peace and freedom come on their own?"

Amid strengthened quarantine measures nationwide due to the spread of COVID-19, a notice stating "Refusing government business restriction measures and enforcing 24-hour operation" was posted on the entrance door of a cafe in Incheon on the 21st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 20th, a cafe openly defying the government's operating hour restrictions also appeared. Operating 14 directly managed stores nationwide, this cafe posted a notice on the entrance of its Songdo branch in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, stating "Open 24 hours as usual," and the notice spread through SNS.

The notice stated, "We have decided to reject the government's current social distancing quarantine guidelines," and lamented, "We had to close the Seogwipo branch last week, and despite accumulating losses exceeding 1 billion won over the past year, we have not received any compensation and have been struggling to operate."

This cafe operated two locations, the Yeonsu-gu main branch and the Songdo International City directly managed store, 24 hours, but was eventually reported by administrative authorities. According to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, cafes and other stores violating operating hour restrictions face fines of up to 3 million won.

Regarding the repeated refusals of quarantine guidelines by self-employed business owners, citizens expressed understanding. Office worker Park (27) said, "I support the choices of self-employed people. They have suffered the most from the COVID-19 crisis," and pointed out, "In the office, sometimes unvaccinated people talk without masks. Also, places like department stores, large marts, and subways are not regulated, right?" He added, "It is unfair to regulate only self-employed people strictly."

However, some argue that violating quarantine guidelines amid daily new COVID-19 cases hovering around 7,000 is inappropriate.

University student Jung (25) said, "I fully understand the hardships of self-employed people, but I wonder if it is really necessary to reject quarantine guidelines now," and added, "With the Omicron variant being serious, I worry that violating guidelines could cause cluster infections. Such actions by self-employed people do not help quarantine efforts at all."

Meanwhile, the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) announced that if the current quarantine policy is not lifted by January 2 next year and is extended again, they plan to take collective action.

O Sehee, president of KFME, said, "We, small business owners and self-employed people, have been the biggest victims and unilateral scapegoats of the COVID-19 crisis over the past two years. Although we have actively cooperated with quarantine efforts, the policies keep being extended, and insufficient support funds and compensation make overcoming the crisis a long way off," and added, "If the current quarantine guidelines are not lifted by January 2 and are extended again, we will continue to hold simultaneous nationwide protests."

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