Only Entertainment Venues Suspended?…Alcohol Bars and Restaurants Face Consecutive Infection Alerts

Blind Spots of COVID-19 Infection in Bars and Pubs
Experts "Government Must Enforce Consistent Administrative Regulations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] "Aren't bars just as risky?", "Why are only entertainment establishments being regulated?"

As confirmed cases of COVID-19 have emerged in entertainment establishments, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has issued a gathering ban order for 422 entertainment venues in the city. However, general bars and pubs, which are practically similar to clubs, are not included in the restrictions, increasing public anxiety.

On the 8th, at a regular COVID-19 briefing, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said, "We understand the fatigue from the temporary pause, but reckless behavior that puts the community at risk must be restrained. The confirmed cases related to entertainment establishments in Gangnam amplify our concerns," adding, "From today until the 19th, the government’s designated social distancing period, a gathering ban order will be issued for entertainment establishments, namely room salons, clubs, and colatecs."

However, despite Seoul’s measures, citizens remain uneasy. This is because general bars and restaurants, which are not subject to regulation, can continue operating.

A man in his 20s, office worker A, said, "Even in bars, people take off their masks and pass around drinks, so the risk of infection is as high as in room salons," and added, "On recent weekends, pubs across the city center are packed with customers, so I don’t understand why only entertainment establishments are being regulated."

He also expressed concerns about the local government’s 'delayed response.' A said, "There have been ongoing concerns about clubs and other entertainment venues. But again, restrictions were only imposed after confirmed cases appeared," criticizing, "The quarantine measures seem somewhat late. It’s like locking the barn after the horse has bolted."

/Photo by Yonhap News

In fact, confirmed COVID-19 cases have been continuously reported in general pubs and restaurants in Seoul, raising greater concerns about cluster infections.

On the 8th, at a cocktail bar 'Liquid Soul' in Seorae Village, Seocho-gu, at least three confirmed cases were reported, including the 40-year-old owner, his wife, and a staff member in their 20s. On the same day, a female staff member in her 20s at a general restaurant 'Jack’s Bar' in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, tested positive for COVID-19.

As a result, there are calls for strengthened quarantine measures for general bars and restaurants as well. Experts argue that consistent government-level administrative orders are necessary for both entertainment establishments and bars.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "Even if confirmed cases occur in entertainment establishments and bars, due to the nature of these places, there is a tendency to conceal cases, making epidemiological investigations difficult and increasing the possibility of secondary infections," expressing concern that "The government has issued a business suspension order for some establishments in Seoul until the 19th, but that period is not sufficient."

He continued, "Currently, the business suspension orders are issued individually by local governments, not by the central government," emphasizing, "Since this is a national disaster situation, consistent and strong administrative orders at the government level, not just local governments, are necessary. We must make every effort and take proactive measures to prevent wider transmission."

Meanwhile, on the 9th, Seoul City announced that it is conducting tests on 117 people who had contact with confirmed entertainment establishment workers related to the COVID-19 infection outbreak in large entertainment venues in Gangnam-gu. Among them, one staff member tested positive, 75 tested negative, 34 are awaiting results, and 7 are scheduled for testing.

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