[Report] "Can't even go to the restroom checking vaccine passes," self-employed people complain, department stores in 'emergency'

Self-Employed Struggle with Customers Over 'Ding Dong' Bell; "It's Awkward"
Department Stores and Large Marts Busy Applying Quarantine Pass from the 10th
Long Lines at Entrances Due to QR Code Scanning

Entrance of a department store in Seoul. Citizens are waiting to enter the QR code.
Photo by Juhee Kang kjh818@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] "It's really tough." , "Honestly, it's stressful."

Public opinion on the government's COVID-19 vaccine quarantine pass (vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system) is becoming intense. Citizens are protesting that applying the quarantine pass excessively even to essential facilities infringes on basic rights, and self-employed business owners are expressing difficulties, saying that checking the quarantine pass has increased their workload amid busy times. Long lines have formed at department store entrances for QR code verification.

Kim (64), a cafe owner in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, complained about doubled work and stress after the quarantine pass was implemented. Kim said, "Every time a customer comes, I have to ask them to verify the QR code, show proof of vaccination, and there are so many things to check that I can't even go to the restroom," adding, "When groups come or it gets crowded during lunch hours, I get overwhelmed. If I don't check properly, the business faces fines, so I get sensitive and it's extremely difficult."

Since the quarantine pass six-month (180-day) validity period was applied from the 3rd, citizens' dissatisfaction has grown even more. Even those who have completed their second vaccine dose must get a third dose to use multi-use facilities once the validity period expires, as the quarantine pass becomes invalid. Unvaccinated individuals must present a PCR negative confirmation issued within 48 hours. When scanning a QR code with remaining validity, a voice saying "Vaccination completed" is heard, but if the validity has expired or the person is unvaccinated, a "ding-dong" sound rings. From the 10th, the quarantine pass will be expanded to department stores and large marts (stores with an area of 3000m² or more).

Another cafe employee, Lee (30), said, "When the 'ding-dong' sound rings, many customers get embarrassed. There have been several disputes, and some customers left saying they felt bad," adding, "Honestly, it's not pleasant for us who have to check either. Some customers cooperate well, but when they don't, it's really awkward."

A cafe located in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. An access authentication machine is placed inside./Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@

Department stores and large marts where the quarantine pass will be applied from the 10th have also become busy. On the 5th, the entrance of a department store in Dongdaemun-gu was crowded with a long line to enter QR codes. An employee guarding the entrance already informed visitors, "The quarantine pass will be applied from the 10th." From the 10th, unvaccinated individuals without a PCR negative confirmation will not be allowed to enter department stores or large marts, even alone.

A department store official said, "With the quarantine pass applied, it will be inevitable that customers will have to wait longer to have their vaccination status checked one by one," adding, "There will likely be some initial confusion, but we plan to allocate more staff at the entrances to handle this."

Citizens visiting the department store also expressed discomfort with the quarantine pass. One citizen who entered the QR code complained, "Now even the 'ding-dong' sound comes." Another citizen, who met the press at the department store entrance, said, "It's one thing for restaurants and cafes, but how can they check vaccination status one by one at a department store where so many people come and go? The lines are already this long, and it seems there is no understanding for the workers on site."

On the other hand, some citizens feel more reassured visiting multi-use facilities due to the quarantine pass. Park, a 40s office worker who completed the second dose, said, "Even in crowded places, there is a sense of relief knowing that the people here are either vaccinated or have not contracted COVID-19." However, he added, "Since there is a validity period, I will have to get the third dose eventually, and if not, daily life becomes inconvenient, so that part feels a bit harsh."

Meanwhile, controversy over the quarantine pass has escalated to legal battles. Earlier, Professor Jo Doohyeong of Yeungnam University Medical School and 1,023 citizens filed a main lawsuit and a suspension of execution request against the Minister of Health and Welfare, the Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the Mayor of Seoul, demanding the cancellation of the quarantine pass disposition. They argue that with the second vaccine dose rate already exceeding 90%, the quarantine pass is ineffective and excessively infringes on the basic rights of the unvaccinated.

A court ruling also suggested the quarantine pass may be unconstitutional. On the 4th, the Seoul Administrative Court partially accepted a provisional injunction request from a civic group to suspend the government's administrative order including educational facilities such as academies and study rooms as quarantine pass application facilities. Accordingly, the quarantine pass's effect on educational facilities will be temporarily suspended until the main lawsuit verdict is announced. In response, the government reiterated the necessity of the quarantine pass policy but said it would consider expanding the scope of exceptions.

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