Despite COVID-19 'Severe' Alert, Crowds Flock to Clubs... Close Proximity Raises Infection Concerns

Government Raises COVID-19 Response to Serious Level
Some Visit Clubs Despite Infection Concerns
High Risk of COVID-19 Spread Due to Crowded Club Settings
Experts Advise Avoiding Group Activities and Personal Contact

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] "A club in this situation...? Will someone take responsibility if the virus spreads?"

Office worker Mr. A witnessed a crowd lined up in groups trying to enter a club near Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul last weekend. Mr. A said, "I don't understand this given the worsening COVID-19 situation," adding, "I understand the desire to have fun, but if even one confirmed case is there, everyone could get infected. It's not like they're dancing while wearing masks."

On the 23rd, the government raised the COVID-19 response crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious.' This is the first time in 11 years since the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu) outbreak that the government has issued a serious alert.

However, streets with clusters of clubs such as Hongdae, Gangnam, and Itaewon are still crowded with customers, raising concerns that this could further accelerate the spread of the epidemic.

Due to the nature of clubs, where numerous people are packed closely together enjoying drinking and dancing, the risk of COVID-19 infection through droplets is inevitably high. Experts have pointed out that not only should group activities be avoided, but contact between individuals should also be minimized as much as possible.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, an online community posted a photo titled "This Morning's Itaewon Club Situation," showing a club located in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The poster criticized, "If even one suspected patient is there, it would be a disaster."

The photo showed a large crowd closely gathered without masks despite the crisis alert being raised to the serious level.

Netizens who saw the post expressed opinions such as "As long as personal hygiene is thoroughly maintained, isn't it an individual's freedom to go wherever they want?" and "If you wash your hands well and wear a mask after going, there is no problem," suggesting that going to clubs during the COVID-19 situation is not an issue.

Mr. B, a university student in his 20s, said, "I went to a club with friends last weekend. Although I felt uneasy because of COVID-19, I brought hand sanitizer and carefully maintained hygiene intermittently. Some people were wearing masks. I think there is no problem if individuals are cautious."

As the controversy spread, a club official explained, "We have placed hand sanitizers and masks at the entrance, installed thermal scanners, and disinfect and sanitize the interior of the venue daily to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

On the other hand, some netizens expressed incomprehension. One netizen said, "The government told us not to go where people gather, so why do they behave like that? It's really frustrating," adding, "It's fine if only they self-isolate, but if a confirmed case appears, supermarkets, churches, and companies all shut down. Who will take responsibility?" expressing anger.

On the 22nd, a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was transferred to the negative pressure ward at Kangwon National University Hospital in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The problem is the risk of infection. On the 24th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced "COVID-19 behavioral guidelines to be observed at the serious stage," urging the general public to strictly maintain hygiene, including ▲cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve when coughing or sneezing ▲avoid visiting crowded places.

However, due to the nature of clubs, it is difficult to properly follow these guidelines. Especially since these are spaces crowded with many people, if a COVID-19 confirmed case appears, there is a risk that someone right next to them could be infected. This is why criticism arises toward people visiting clubs.

One netizen said, "If even one confirmed case is there, it's over," and lamented, "No matter how much the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention try, what can they do? There are many people who don't listen and just party like that."

Experts recommend refraining from going out as much as possible and reducing social activities and contact between individuals. Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 24th and said, "A strategy to minimize contact with infected individuals is necessary," adding, "It is important to reduce social activities and contact between individuals as much as possible."

Meanwhile, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of 9 a.m. on the 26th, 169 new confirmed cases were reported. Accordingly, the total number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 1,146. The total number of infected people has surpassed 1,000.

Among the 169 new confirmed cases, Daegu reported the highest number with 134 cases. Gyeongbuk had 19, Busan 8, April 4, Gyeongnam 2, and Incheon and Gyeonggi each had 1 case.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.