"Can You Stop Going to Clubs and Bars?" 20s and 30s Visiting Entertainment Venues... Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread

Entry to enclosed spaces like bars and clubs for people in their 20s and 30s
Domestic COVID-19 cases: 2,940 in their 20s, accounting for 27.4% of total cases
Health authorities repeatedly urge social distancing among young age groups

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Concerns are rising that another COVID-19 cluster infection might occur after it was revealed that a teenage male who traveled from Daegu to Busan visited clubs and bars before being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). It is reported that about 500 people were present at the establishment when he visited the club.

Earlier, a confirmed case was reported on the 2nd at a nightlife venue in Gangnam, Seoul, raising concerns that bars and entertainment establishments could become hotspots for COVID-19 spread. It was identified that around 100 people, including staff and customers, visited the venue between the 27th and 28th of last month when the infected employee worked. In response, the government issued a ban on gatherings at entertainment venues, but opinions continue that citizens’ awareness to voluntarily avoid such facilities is crucial.

According to the Busan City 'COVID-19 Response Regular Briefing' on the 25th, epidemiological investigation confirmed that A (19), a confirmed case from Daegu, visited Busan on the 17th and 18th.

A took the SRT and arrived in Busan at 9:20 p.m. on the 17th. He then visited the 1970 Saemaeul Pocha in Busanjin-gu at 11:40 p.m. On the next day (18th), he stayed at Club Vibe in Seomyeon for 1 hour and 30 minutes starting at 2 a.m.

On the 18th, he had a meal at Cheongchun Raw Fish Restaurant on Songdo Beach Road in Seo-gu at 4:30 p.m., then took the Mugunghwa train back to Daegu. It is known that he visited Busan to enjoy the weekend with acquaintances before his military enlistment.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Given this situation, concerns about community transmission are growing. According to A’s movement, the places he visited were crowded bars and clubs. Since COVID-19 can spread through droplets, new confirmed cases may occur again.

Health authorities have identified that 515 people visited the club on the day A was there. Currently, contact tracing and investigations are underway for visitors and staff of the club, as well as contacts at the bar and raw fish restaurant.

A Busan city official said, "Considering the symptom onset date, the transmissible period is considered from the 18th," and urged, "Citizens who overlapped in time and place with the three locations and experience fatigue, headache, fever, or respiratory symptoms should contact their local health center."

There have been previous cases where crowded entertainment venues became or nearly became hotspots for cluster infections. On the 2nd, B (36, female), the 44th confirmed case in Gangnam, Seoul, who worked at a large entertainment venue 'ㅋㅋ&Trend,' was later found to have contacted 114 people including staff and customers.

Fortunately, all contacts tested negative, but due to the nature of entertainment venues?enclosed spaces with many people?the risk of virus transmission remains high. Accordingly, Seoul City issued a ban on gatherings at entertainment facilities operating in the area from the 8th to the 19th. This was a measure to prevent COVID-19 spread and effectively a shutdown.

After the ban was lifted, the government adjusted its recommendations for entertainment, religious, sports, academies, and PC rooms from 'operation suspension' to 'operation restraint.' These facilities must still comply with quarantine guidelines such as temperature checks and mask-wearing even if they open.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As a result, opinions are emerging that citizens should voluntarily refrain from visiting bars, clubs, and other entertainment facilities. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of the 26th, people in their 20s account for 2,940 of the domestic COVID-19 cases, representing 27.4% of all confirmed cases.

B, a 30-something office worker, said, "Since social distancing and other COVID-19 prevention measures are not mandatory rules, people ultimately need to follow them voluntarily," and added, "I hope people avoid crowded places like clubs."

C, another office worker in their mid-20s, said, "Not only does the infected person suffer, but the virus can spread to others, so I think it’s a nuisance," and criticized, "Can’t we just avoid places like bars and clubs for now?"

The government once again urged social distancing. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 26th, "Use of entertainment facilities such as clubs and bars, which are enclosed and crowded with poor ventilation, is increasing," and explained, "As mentioned in the Daegu case, healthy and active young people have a wide range of activities, so the risk of COVID-19 transmission is quite high."

She continued, "Religious, entertainment, sports, academies, and other facilities all carry such risks, so authorities are urging restraint in operation or reduction of crowd density," and emphasized, "We must remember once again that even one patient can cause a super-spreader event in these places."

Meanwhile, Busan City announced that if COVID-19 cases occur at the club in question, it will consider claiming damages against the club.

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