Authorities: "Quarantine Pass Unavoidable Measure to Protect Unvaccinated Individuals"

On the first day of the quarantine pass validity period being applied, the 3rd, citizens are checking the validity status of their quarantine passes at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul. From today, once the validity period expires, it will be difficult to use multi-use facilities such as museums, karaoke rooms, and movie theaters. In this case, unless a negative PCR test certificate is submitted, a third vaccination must be received for the quarantine pass to be valid. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the government continues to expand the facilities subject to the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (vaccine pass) to strengthen quarantine measures, criticism is mounting that the basic rights of the unvaccinated are being infringed upon. On the other hand, authorities emphasize that these measures are intended to protect the unvaccinated and explain that they are unavoidable.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing on the morning of the 4th, "The vaccine pass aims to minimize infections among the unvaccinated to protect them and also to preserve the capacity of the healthcare system, which is overly burdened by unvaccinated patients," adding, "We ask for understanding regarding the inevitability of this measure." In response to criticism that expanding the vaccine pass to include large supermarkets necessary for purchasing daily necessities is an excessive infringement on basic rights, he stated that it is an unavoidable measure to protect the unvaccinated.

Currently, the quarantine authorities mandate the vaccine pass for a total of 17 types of facilities, including ▲entertainment venues (pubs, karaoke bars, clubs, nightclubs, hunting pubs, emotional pubs, colatecs, dance halls) ▲karaoke rooms ▲indoor sports facilities ▲bathhouses ▲bicycle racing, motorboat racing, horse racing, casinos ▲restaurants and cafes ▲academies ▲movie theaters and performance halls ▲reading rooms and study cafes ▲multi-rooms (excluding arcades) ▲PC rooms ▲indoor sports stadiums (spectator) ▲museums, art galleries, science centers ▲party rooms ▲libraries ▲massage and therapy centers ▲department stores and large supermarkets over 3,000㎡.

To use facilities subject to the vaccine pass, a vaccination certificate showing at least 14 days have passed since the completion of vaccination must be submitted. Additionally, unvaccinated individuals who have a negative PCR test, children and adolescents under 18, COVID-19 recovered patients, or those unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons can enter facilities if they have the relevant documentation according to each facility's criteria. Unvaccinated individuals can use restaurants and cafes alone without related documents.

From the 3rd, the vaccine pass validity period was also set. It is valid for 180 days after the second dose, and regains validity upon receiving the third dose. Those who received their second dose in the first half of last year and have not yet received the third dose cannot use facilities requiring the vaccine pass without a negative PCR test. The validity period for the vaccine pass renewed by the third dose has not been separately set.

However, the scope of exceptions for those unable to be vaccinated due to illness or side effects is being reviewed for improvement. Son said, "The Disease Control Agency is reviewing whether there are areas to improve based on feedback from the field."

Regarding criticism that the vaccine pass does not apply to religious facilities, Son clarified that rather, high-level quarantine measures are being implemented at these facilities. He emphasized, "For religious facilities, regulations stronger than the vaccine pass are currently applied," adding, "No exceptions are allowed for those under 18 or unavoidably unvaccinated, and only those fully vaccinated can attend up to 70% capacity for worship." He further stated that if the vaccine pass were recognized, "100% capacity would be allowed for the 70% worship attendance, including unvaccinated worshippers, so the current system has a stronger quarantine effect," stressing again that it can be considered a more stringent form of the vaccine pass.

On the first day the quarantine pass validity period applies, during lunchtime on the 3rd, citizens are checking the validity status of their quarantine passes at a restaurant in downtown Seoul. Starting today, if the validity period expires, it will be difficult to use multi-use facilities such as art galleries, karaoke rooms, and movie theaters. In this case, unless a negative PCR test certificate is submitted, a third vaccination must be received for the quarantine pass to be valid. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Son emphasized that since the severe illness and death rates are higher among the unvaccinated, the vaccine pass is essential to protect them and urged active vaccination. He repeatedly stressed, "Unvaccinated individuals, who make up only 6.2% of the adult population aged 18 and over, account for 30% of total infections and 52% of severe cases and deaths," adding, "From the healthcare system's perspective, more than half of the capacity for severe treatment is devoted to treating unvaccinated patients." He explained again the purpose of the vaccine pass, saying, "The more infections among the unvaccinated are blocked, the more we can reduce deaths and severe cases among the public, preserve healthcare capacity, and proceed with daily recovery while enduring a larger number of confirmed cases."

Regarding the recent 8-week period (October 31 to December 25 last year), where the proportion of severe patients and deaths among those who completed the second dose was 46.6% and 46.5%, respectively, similar to the unvaccinated, and where they accounted for 68.4% of total confirmed cases, he explained that the actual incidence rate must be considered. Son said, "Among the 6.2% of adults who are unvaccinated, this many confirmed cases occur, while among the 93.8% who completed the second dose, cases occur as well," adding, "Even if the absolute number is higher among the vaccinated, the incidence rate is 4 to 5 times higher among the unvaccinated."

The government is also considering a fourth dose for immunocompromised individuals, who are currently recommended to receive a third dose two months after the second. Park Hyang, head of the Quarantine General Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, explained, "For immunocompromised individuals, immunity may not be secured even after the second or third dose," adding, "We are discussing with experts about the possibility of additional vaccination." However, he added, "The actual implementation will be discussed through the Vaccination Committee," clarifying, "It is currently under review, and no decision has been made on implementation."

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