Refrain from Operating Clubs and Colatecs for the Next Month... Excluding Danranjujeom (Update)

Changed Recommendations After Transition to Living Quarantine, Administrative Order Issued After Three Days
"Refrain from Operating Entertainment Facilities Until the 7th of Next Month... Follow Quarantine Rules if Operating"
Up to 3 Million KRW Fine for Violations Resulting in Cases

On the 8th, a citizen is passing in front of 'King Club' in Itaewon, Seoul, where a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) had visited. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] The government has recommended that entertainment facilities such as clubs refrain from operating for one month starting from the 8th. If operation is unavoidable, masks must be worn inside the facility and identification must be checked individually upon entry.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for COVID-19 held a video conference with metropolitan local governments and the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters nationwide in the afternoon and decided to implement an administrative order containing these measures. This emergency action follows the confirmation of a COVID-19 patient living in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, who visited clubs in the Itaewon area of Seoul on the 6th, with a total of 12 infections confirmed as of this day.

The measure takes effect immediately from 8 p.m. on the day of the announcement and lasts until the 7th of next month, with the possibility of extension if necessary. The target includes all entertainment facilities nationwide. This covers entertainment pubs, emotional pubs, and colatecs including clubs, but excludes danran pubs. Danran pubs were excluded in the meeting because they are facilities where dancing is originally not permitted.

If operation is unavoidable, strict adherence to quarantine rules is required. Employees must have their temperature checked twice daily and be sent home immediately if symptoms appear. Basic measures such as maintaining a 1-2 meter distance when lining up outside the facility remain the same as during the social distancing period. Entry without wearing a mask is prohibited, and facilities must be disinfected and ventilated at least twice daily.

However, after entry, masks must be worn in principle except when eating or drinking, and a quarantine manager must be designated. When recording visitor logs, identification must be checked individually. This measure was strengthened because, as revealed in the Itaewon club cluster infection incident, some visit records were inaccurate when only names and phone numbers were recorded.

The administrative order is issued by the Minister of Health and Welfare under relevant laws to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the community. Local governments will inspect compliance with these measures and may impose penalties of up to 3 million KRW for violations. If cases arise due to non-compliance, compensation claims may be filed and closure orders may be issued.

Previously, on the 6th, as the government transitioned to living social distancing, administrative orders for quarantine rule compliance at religious facilities, indoor sports facilities, entertainment facilities, and academies were changed to recommendations. Son Youngrae, head of strategic planning at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "Other facilities such as indoor sports facilities and academies have been voluntarily complying well with quarantine guidelines during the living social distancing period, but there were concerns that enclosed businesses like clubs find voluntary compliance difficult, so administrative orders were issued to ensure thorough compliance."

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