On the Day the Government Strengthened Social Distancing in the Capital Area, Many Businesses Also Skipped 'Fever Checks'

Guestbook Names and Phone Numbers Falsely Entered Still 'Pass Without Issue'
Varied Quarantine Measures Across Social Sectors
1.78 Million More Elementary to High School Students Return on the 3rd
Various National Exams Also Proceed as Scheduled

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] # Around 10 p.m. on the 1st, at a bar near Gangnam Station in Seoul's entertainment district. Upon entering this place, known for hunting (spontaneous meetings between the opposite sex), the staff handed over a visitor log along with a temperature check. I wrote false name and phone number. The staff took the visitor log without any identity verification. At the same time, the situation was similar at another bar. The staff did not separately check the visitor log contents written by those lined up at the first-floor entrance. At this place, temperature checks were not even conducted.

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spreads centered around the Coupang Bucheon logistics center, the government is making every effort to prevent the spread by significantly strengthening quarantine activities mainly in the public sector. However, there is a significant difference in the level of quarantine across various social sectors.

The government decided to temporarily suspend the operation of multi-use facilities in the metropolitan area until the 14th of next month and to increase social distancing intensity through flexible work arrangements in the public sector. In addition, eight industries with high density and enclosed spaces, such as hunting pubs and karaoke rooms, were designated as high-risk facilities, and operators were advised to refrain from operating. On the first day these measures were implemented, seven places including bars, karaoke rooms, and PC rooms near Gangnam and Hongdae were randomly visited. On-site, scenes quite different from the sense of crisis of the government or citizens were unfolding. First, there was not a single establishment properly following identity verification procedures. Some places allowed entry without wearing masks, and some did not conduct fever checks. Even though it was Monday with not many customers, the establishments seemed either not to care much about quarantine or handled it somewhat carelessly.

Not only in entertainment districts but also citizens express anxiety about places or events where many people gather, including schools. From the 3rd, an additional 1.78 million elementary, middle, and high school students will return to school. A parent, Mr. Kim, said, "Although they say quarantine is thorough, I am very worried because we never know when or where infection might occur." Various national exams are also scheduled to be held as planned, demanding thorough quarantine measures. On the 13th, the 9th-grade local government exam and the 1st and 2nd Seoul Metropolitan Government local civil service exams will be held, with 181,261 and 41,358 applicants respectively, expecting more than 200,000 people in total. Especially in metropolitan areas such as Gyeonggi Province (42,261) and Incheon (11,355), more than 100,000 applicants are expected, keeping quarantine authorities on high alert. An official from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained, "We are preparing thorough quarantine measures to the extent that it might be called excessive, prioritizing the safety of examinees."

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