Consumers complain of discrimination as S. Korean coffee franchisee uses colored stickers to indicate vaccination status

Netizens expressed displeasure over a coffee shop franchisee’s move to classify vaccinated and non-vaccinated customers by color-coding their cups.

According to a post, the barista would ask customers about their vaccination status and classify them as vaccinated with green stickers and non-vaccinated with yellow stickers.

The company’s customer service department explained that they were following a company procedure to ascertain each customer’s quarantine status and maintain a safe environment.

It emphasized that discrimination was not their intent.

Meanwhile, the franchisee pointed out that the policy was necessary as the coffee shop owners risk being penalized if customers violate quarantine restrictions.

Most netizens complained, arguing that using stickers to distinguish vaccinated and unvaccinated customers is discrimination.

But some supported the coffee shop’s action, noting they would be subject to a 1.5 million won fine if found violating quarantine restrictions.