From the 10th, Department Stores and Large Marts Require Quarantine Pass... Unvaccinated Must Carry 'Negative Test Certificate'

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Starting from the 10th, the quarantine pass will be implemented as scheduled at department stores and large supermarkets, requiring visitors to submit either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test result issued within the last 48 hours for entry.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 9th, from the following day, large-scale stores such as department stores and large supermarkets will be added to the mandatory quarantine pass (vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation) system. However, to prevent confusion on-site, a one-week grace period from the 10th to the 16th will be provided, and from the 17th, fines and administrative sanctions will be imposed for violations.

The large-scale stores subject to the quarantine pass include shopping malls, marts, department stores, and agricultural and fishery product distribution centers with an area of 3,000㎡ or more. This applies to 2,003 locations nationwide, including department stores and large supermarkets where visitors must scan an electronic entry log QR code to enter.

Small stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and other establishments that do not verify QR codes are not subject to the quarantine pass.

Visitors must verify their vaccination status via QR code or submit a negative PCR test certificate (valid until midnight on the 48th hour after the negative result notification) to enter large-scale stores if unvaccinated.

Exceptions to the quarantine pass include those who have recovered from COVID-19 or have medical reasons exempting them from the pass, who must present a quarantine release certificate or exemption certificate. Without such a certificate, unvaccinated individuals cannot use large-scale stores even alone.

Children and adolescents aged 18 and under, who are exempt from the quarantine pass, may use large-scale stores regardless of vaccination status. The quarantine pass applies only to users of department stores and marts and does not apply to employees such as sales staff.

Meanwhile, controversy is growing as the government adds academies and large supermarkets to the quarantine pass system along with social distancing measures. In particular, unvaccinated individuals are continuing to protest restrictions on entry to large supermarkets, which sell essential daily goods and, unlike restaurants and cafes, are spaces where masks are not removed during use.

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