DP suggests gov’t to offer vaccine incentives

May 25, 2021, 08:28 am

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Democratic Party leader Rep. Song Young-gil speaks at a ruling party-government meeting held at the National Assembly on May 24, 2021./ Photographed by Lee Byung-hwa

AsiaToday reporter Jeong Geum-min

The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Monday recommended the government provide fully vaccinated people with incentives, such as exemptions from the gathering ban. Starting from June, the government will allow those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to hold face-to-face visits with patients at nursing facilities.

In a ruling party-government meeting, the DP’s COVID-19 vaccine committee made such a recommendation to the Office of Government Policy Coordination and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, according to committee chairperson Rep. Jean Hye-sook.

“We discussed the idea of allowing vaccinated people to freely enter senior citizen centers and public welfare centers and also lifting the current age restriction on vaccines so that those seeking early vaccination ahead of their age-corresponding schedule can be allowed to receive vaccines,” Rep. Jean said.

The DP also suggested that fully vaccinated people be exempt from the 10 p.m. business restrictions and that small business owners get priority in vaccination ahead of others.

“We also discussed the idea of providing incentives to those engaged in culture, sports and arts industry so they can freely work through QR code certification if they are vaccinated,” Rep. Jeon said.

The government officials replied that they will consider measures that proactively take into consideration such incentives, according to Jean.

In addition, the meeting also covered the topic of adopting a “vaccine passport” that exempt travelers from quarantine.

“A policy of providing quarantine exemptions under mutual recognition of vaccine passports with other nations is highly needed,” Jean said.

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