A smartphone application (R) for authenticating users’ vaccine status through a digital QR code is seen not properly working at a restaurant in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2021. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — As so-called ‘vaccine passes’ will have a six-month expiration date starting on Monday, small businesses are voicing concern and frustration.
A blue border will appear around the QR code of the vaccine pass if it has yet to expire. When scanned, a voice will respond by saying that the person is fully vaccinated.
If the pass has expired, the scanner will ring a bell sound, making it difficult for the person to enter the facility.
In response, small businesses raised their voices of frustration, criticizing the government for frequently altering instructions on vaccine passes, forcing businesses to deal with the consequences.
“The government is turning over its responsibility of managing vaccine pass violations to small businesses,” said a 49-year-old barista surnamed Kim who runs a cafe in Seoul’s Seocho District.
Some point out that it is an act of discrimination to let out a bell sound when the quarantine pass is expired, letting others in the area know that the person’s vaccine pass has expired.
Experts, too, demonstrated concerns over potential human rights violations in the process of scanning vaccine passes.
“Letting out a warning sound indicates that the person’s act is wrong,” said Hwang Pil-kyu, an attorney. “It alludes to the fact that the government is publicly announcing the person’s failure to get vaccinated, and that it is wrong to do so.”
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
