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A variety of industries and organizations ranging from hotels and movie theaters to local governments are giving discounts and other promotions to vaccinated people to encourage more people to be inoculated as the nationwide vaccination rollout speeds up.
As of Friday, more than 14.23 million people have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines here, accounting for around 27.7 percent of the country's 51.3-million population, since the country started its vaccination program Feb. 26, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The country's ambitious COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been on track and achieved its end of June inoculation target earlier than scheduled, with numerous retail and business establishments joining the antivirus fight.
Shilla Stay, a budget line of Hotel Shilla, is offering various discount packages for customers when they show vaccination certificates.
The Millennium Hilton Seoul and Conrad Seoul hotels, both top-tier establishments in downtown Seoul, are offering between 30 and 50 percent discounts at their buffet restaurants for vaccinated customers.
Movie theaters, which have suffered a sharp drop in moviegoers amid the pandemic due to social distancing rules, are also offering discounts.
Three major multiplexes ― CJ CGV, Lotte Cinema and Megabox ― said they offer 50 percent discounts for a vaccinated person plus one.
Airlines and travel agencies are also offering upgrades and discounts for their vaccinated customers as the government has eased its mandatory 14-day quarantine for vaccinated people.
The new regulation, set to be implemented next month, will allow people who have been fully inoculated in the country to be exempted from isolation when arriving here from overseas if they were inoculated two weeks prior to traveling, according to the KDCA.
TMON Inc., one of the country's major e-commerce operators, has joined hands with local travel agencies to offer coupons and discounted vouchers that can later be exchanged for flight tickets and tour packages.
Local governments have also moved to offer various incentives to vaccinated individuals in an effort to increase the vaccination rate and eventually help people return to their normal lives.
Vaccinated people can gain free entry to various government-run parks and facilities, such as gyms, and can have access to public centers that have so far been closed down. (Yonhap)
