Korean authorities have reinstated the restriction on single-use products in food service establishments after a two-year pause caused by the epidemic. The move has elicited a range of emotions from employees, consumers, and environmental activists.

As of Friday, guests dining in at restaurants, cafeterias, food stalls, and bars will no longer be able to use single-use products such as plastic cups, disposable containers, wooden chopsticks, and toothpicks. Customers who order takeout or use a delivery service will be able to purchase the products.

It was decided to put the prohibition on hold for two years in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the first half of 2020. The ban was initially enforced in August 2018. The Environment Ministry, on the other hand, has reinstated the ban in order to control the rapidly increasing volume of plastic garbage.

When clients grumble about not being able to use throwaway cups, Kim So-yeon, a part-time employee at a coffee shop in central Seoul, says, "It will be frustrating for me."

It was common to hear complaints from customers when it was mandated that only reusable cups be used in the restaurant. In addition, additional staff would be required to wash glasses," Kim explained.

As the pandemic continues, some are concerned that a decrease in the usage of single-use products will result in an increase in COVID-19 transmission.

"Korea is experiencing its worst crisis since the outbreak began." "Does this truly seem like the correct time?" a young office worker in his early thirties questioned. The urge to protect the environment is something I understand, but I'm not sure if coffee cups are the true issue here."

President Park Geun-hye, chairman of the presidential transition committee, has also expressed skepticism about the ban, saying it should be postponed until after the pandemic has passed.

The discussion was held on Monday. "It is apparent that there will be disagreements between customers who demand single-use cups out of concern for COVID-19 and company owners who try to persuade customers because of the fines," Ahn stated during the meeting. "I respectfully request that the government postpone the prohibition on single-use plastic cups until the COVID-19 situation has been rectified."

In response to Ahn's plea, the Environment Ministry declared on Wednesday that food service businesses would be spared from fines until the virus outbreak was resolved, effective immediately. The regulation, on the other hand, will remain in effect.

"The implementation of the regulation will begin on Friday. It will only be used for informational reasons until the COVID-19 matter is resolved," according to the official statement. "There will be no financial penalties for businesses who violate the regulation, and we will work on more guidance."

Environmental campaigners feel that the ban is still necessary, despite the fact that the Environment Ministry has taken a step back.

In a statement released on Thursday, the environmental activist group Green Korea raised skepticism about the idea that single-use cups were being sought as a result of COVID-19 concerns. If they were concerned about contracting the virus from reusable cups, they reasoned, then the plates and silverware used for dine-in guests at restaurants should likewise be disposable, in accordance with that rationale.

As the statement stated, "the presidential transition committee should attempt to alleviate the concerns of customers and business owners by notifying them that the usage of multiuse products would not result in the spread of the virus." Korea's Disease Control and Prevention Agency has already stated that the risk of infection through food and containers is "very minimal," according to the agency.

Despite the promises, customers are nevertheless anxious about the difficulty that the restriction may cause them in their daily routines.

"It's a difficult situation. I am well aware that we use far too many single-use cups in our household. "I drink three or four beverages (a day) in the summer, which translates to approximately 20 cups of waste every week," said Yoon So-hye, a 20-year-old office worker.

In contrast to bringing my own tumbler or utilizing in-store mugs, I favor single-use plastic cups since they are more handy, Yoon explained. "It's a difficult choice between convenience and protecting the environment."

The Ministry of the Environment intends to go through with its plan to minimize single-use products and tighten restrictions as soon as possible in the near future.

If and when Korea's COVID-19 situation improves, firms who breach the legislation will face fines ranging from 500,000 won ($412) to 2 million won ($412 USD), depending on how frequently the infringement occurs and the size of the establishment in question.

As of June 10, customers at coffee shops and fast-food franchises will be required to pay a deposit ranging between 200 and 500 won every single-use disposable cup. Following the return of the old cups to the businesses for recycling, they will receive a refund of their deposit.

From November 24, food service firms will be forbidden from providing dine-in clients with paper cups, plastic straws, and stirrers, as part of a broader enforcement of the regulations.