[Comprehensive] "If Seoul is congested, let's go to the provinces" - Reckless 20s and 30s seeking clubs, citizens' anger

Visitors to Itaewon Clubs, Mass Confirmed Cases... Nationwide Infection Alert
Despite COVID-19 Emergency Among Some in Their 20s and 30s, "Let's Go to Clubs," "Let's Go to Bars" Draws Criticism

Men and women are enjoying nightlife at a club. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "If there is an open club, please share!", "Let's just go to the provinces!"

According to health authorities, 53 people were infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) yesterday (the 10th) after visiting clubs in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, or coming into contact with club visitors. This comes just four days after a man in his 20s who visited the club was confirmed positive on the 6th.

As a result, criticism is pouring in against young people who have visited clubs and pubs or are planning to return to these places to enjoy nightlife. They are being accused of not doing their best to prevent infection.

The problem is that despite such criticism, many people in their 20s and 30s continue to visit clubs without hesitation. Especially after Seoul city issued a gathering ban order on all entertainment facilities including clubs, emotional pubs, colatecs, and room salons on the 9th, there is even a movement to enjoy nightlife by going out of Seoul to the provinces.

The government is appealing for everyone to do their best to prevent COVID-19 infection, but in reality, the health authorities' earnest appeals are being ignored.

They are using KakaoTalk (KakaoTalk) group chat rooms called open chat rooms to meet with unspecified many people and show movements to visit clubs.

Open chat rooms allow conversations without revealing one's identity. Because of this, participants enter these group chat rooms with the purpose of going to clubs and continue chatting about visiting entertainment facilities nationwide. They also actually visit clubs through these chat rooms.

Yesterday (the 10th), one KakaoTalk open chat room was filled with conversations about going to clubs. A person estimated to be in their 20s, A, who participated in this room, said, "Which clubs are open?" and "Please recommend some." Then another person, B, replied, "If not Gyeonggi, I think we have to go to Incheon."

Participant C in the chat room also said, "If not Seoul, I am thinking of going to Gyeonggi at least." Another participant asked, "Is there anyone who wants to go with me next time?" and said, "Looking for people around their 30s," seeking companions to go to clubs together.

Among them, one netizen who participated in the room pointed out, "Everyone is suffering from COVID-19, I don't know what you are doing," and was immediately forcibly removed from the chat room.

Another netizen also expressed frustration, saying, "Young people think they won't get COVID-19, but the problem is the people around them. Mothers or elderly people can be infected because of you." This netizen was also removed from the chat room.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the cluster infection that spread from the Itaewon clubs is expanding nationwide, including Seoul and the metropolitan area, as well as Jeju, Busan, and Chungbuk. Since confirmed patients have been found to work in hospitals, nursing hospitals, call centers, etc., there are concerns about secondary cluster infections.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) and local governments today (the 11th), there are continuous cases of confirmed patients transmitting COVID-19 to family members, acquaintances, and colleagues.

Among the 54 confirmed club infection cases counted until the morning of the 10th, 11 people (20.37%) were contacts of confirmed patients.

The problem is that those who visited clubs are not voluntarily getting tested and are not properly cooperating with health authorities' investigations.

According to Seoul city, 5,517 people visited five clubs and pubs in Itaewon during the golden holiday period. This number excludes 1,705 duplicate visitors from the total 7,222 club and pub visitors. Also, in the completed full survey until yesterday, 1,982 people could not be contacted due to false phone number entries, etc.

Moreover, there are still many people in their 20s and 30s who want to go to clubs, increasing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. The government urged people to refrain from visiting clubs and other entertainment facilities and to get tested voluntarily through self-reporting.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk on the 10th, "Seven confirmed patients who visited clubs transmitted the virus to 11 people including family and acquaintances in the community, confirming secondary transmission cases," adding, "The transmission speed is very fast and shows highly contagious characteristics."

She continued, "Blocking additional transmission in the community is a race against time and requires a speed battle," and urged, "Those who visited entertainment facilities in Itaewon from the end of April to May 6 should all refrain from going out and get tested quickly regardless of symptoms."

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