Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Unvaccinated people to face more COVID-19 restrictions
Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol speaks during a briefing on the government's finalized "Living with COVID-19" plan at Government Complex Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't announces finalized “Living with COVID-19” plans
By Lee Hyo-jin
Starting Monday, unvaccinated people here will be barred from entering multiuse facilities such as gyms, singing rooms and public baths unless they submit PCR test results showing them as negative for COVID-19, following the implementation of the so-called “vaccine pass.”
Amid controversy that the policy may lead to discrimination against the unvaccinated, the government has included the measure as part of the finalized plan for transitioning its “Living with COVID-19” policy into action.
Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol unveiled the plan at a briefing, Friday, under which social distancing regulations will be lifted gradually in three phases every six weeks starting from early November.
The plan included the introduction of the vaccine pass, which would restrict unimmunized individuals from accessing some multiuse facilities, unless they present a negative PCR test result carried out within 48 hours, or a document proving that they are unable to receive the vaccine due to medical reasons.
Despite earlier controversies that it may be lead to discrimination against the unvaccinated, while some even criticized it as the government's move to “force” the vaccine on those who choose to remain unvaccinated, Kwon said the decision was inevitable for the country to return to normalcy.
“An increase in infections seems inevitable in the steps of returning to normalcy. And the government's goal is to keep down the number of deaths and keep the number of critically ill patients under the level that our medical system's capacity can cope with,” the minister said.
“To achieve this goal, it is very important to prevent the virus from spreading among the unvaccinated. Therefore, we have decided to implement the vaccine pass in a limited manner.”
People stand in line for coronavirus testing at a testing center near Seoul Station, Friday. Yonhap
Under the first phase of the plan, which begins Nov. 1, the vaccine pass will be introduced for facilities with a high risk of virus transmission ― gyms, singing rooms, nursing homes, facilities for the disabled, public baths and nightlife establishments.
Minors and people who are not eligible for vaccination due to legitimate medical reasons, along with people who have recovered from COVID-19, are exempt from the vaccine pass.
However, the government noted that the exemption rule doesn't apply to entertainment facilities, meaning that unvaccinated people will not be able to enter nightclubs even if they submit a valid negative PCR test result or are unvaccinated due to medical reasons.
Authorities stated that fines will not be issued for noncompliance with regulations at high-risk facilities for one week, except indoor sports facilities which will be allowed for two weeks, in order to give businesses time to adapt to the new system.
While private gathering bans will be eased ― allowing gatherings of up to 10 people in the greater Seoul area and up to 12 in other regions, regardless of their vaccination history ― unvaccinated people can gather with each other in groups of no more than four.
Events attended by a large number of participants such as concerts, weddings, sports events and demonstrations will be allowed with up to 100 participants regardless of their vaccination history.
But events with up to 500 people can be held only if unvaccinated participants submit negative PCR test results.
The government has also introduced a set of incentives for fully vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated moviegoers do not have to sit apart and are allowed to eat snacks, while eating and drinking at sports events will be allowed for immunized spectators.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has announced its own “Living with COVID-19” strategy, under which schools across the country will return to normalcy in phases starting Nov. 22.
From that day, kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools will resume full in-person classes regardless of the social distancing measures in place. Other face-to-face activities such as clubs and field trips will be expanded gradually depending on the virus situation.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae speaks during a briefing on the "Living with COVID-19" plan for the education sector, held at Government Complex Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
Universities are recommended to start holding face-to-face classes from Nov. 1, and may adopt the vaccine pass for some campus facilities.
Under the scenario, the education authorities expect all schools to fully return to normalcy by next year's spring semester.