On July 13, Japanese restaurant Ramen Yushoken posted an apology after receiving backlash for the discrimination that a doctor experienced from its Alabang branch.

In a now-deleted Facebook post recounting how he and his fiancée were denied entrance into the restaurant because he was wearing (his spare) scrubs, the doctor brought attention to Yushoken’s company policy of not allowing people wearing scrubs to dine in. He wrote that this directive came from the restaurant’s higher-ups, according to the order taker who first asked him to change his clothing.

He then revealed that after speaking with the manager, he and his fiancée were escorted away from the restaurant’s other patrons.

Afterward, Yushoken’s general manager approached them to apologize and say that they were escorted away to protect them from the judgment of other customers. However, the doctor wrote that the earlier interactions with the management showed that they were barring his entry due to the fear of him being a potential carrier of the virus based on the clothes that he wore.

He added that the restaurant didn’t even make him fill up a health declaration form or asking if he has been experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and other related questions prior to making a decision.

The doctor’s post gathered mixed reactions on Facebook, and in response, Yushoken’s CEO and managing director Ryan K. Cruz posted an official apology on the restaurant’s page.

“We acknowledge and apologize to the medical community health care workers who were deeply offended and felt unsupported with Ramen Yushoken. In our intention to provide a safe environment, we have fallen short on being empathetic with our customers who are health care workers,” stated Cruz.

According to the statement, Yushoken also personally reached out to the doctor to apologize. They also said that they will work closely with him “to develop safety guidelines that are mindful and fair.”

In April, the local government unit (LGU) of Muntinlupa passed the COVID-19 Anti-Discrimination Ordinance which penalizes acts of discrimination, harassment, violence or any action that causes stigma, shame, humiliation, disgrace or harm against those infected with COVID-19, persons under monitoring and investigation as well as frontliners serving in medical facilities.

“Under Ordinance No. 2020-085, it shall be unlawful for any public official, public employee, or essential service provider to refuse assistance or deny service to confirmed COVID-19 patients, close contacts, PUMs, PUIs, health workers and frontliners,” Muntinlupa’s LGU wrote.

Cities like Manila and Pasay have also enacted anti-discrimination ordinances in relation to COVID-19. The House of Representatives also approved the COVID-19-Related Anti-Discrimination Act during its final reading in June.

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Discrimination against COVID-19 patients, PUI, PUM and health workers now illegal in Manila

Praises are posted online—but it’s different from what frontliners face in reality]