[Report] Not Wearing Masks, Sharing Food... Is Cafe-Originated COVID-19 Spreading?

Concerns Over COVID-19 Cluster Infection Originating from Gangnam Coffee Shops Spread
Drinking Beverages Without Masks, Sitting Close Together and Talking
Experts Say "Specific and Clear Quarantine Guidelines and Regulations Needed"

Reference photo. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporters Kim Seul-gi and Kang Joo-hee] "Wearing masks in cafes is honestly uncomfortable and cumbersome."

As a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread at a coffee specialty store in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 4th, the quarantine authorities announced quarantine guidelines to be followed in cafes and restaurants. The main point is that masks must be worn at all times except when drinking coffee or beverages.

However, when visiting cafes around Jung-gu on the afternoon of the 5th, the day after the announcement, to check compliance with the guidelines, most customers at coffee specialty stores were not wearing masks and were not following the health authorities' recommendations. Experts suggested that clear quarantine guidelines and regulations are necessary in group facilities.

During lunchtime that day, office workers gathered in small groups, drinking beverages and chatting. Although it looked like a usual scene, the guideline to wear masks when not drinking beverages was hardly followed.

Also, there were scenes of sharing desserts on one plate. Some customers sat close to each other at one table. There was a growing concern that this could lead to a COVID-19 cluster infection due to droplets generated while eating and drinking.

Nevertheless, citizens unanimously said that following the government's strengthened guidelines is cumbersome.

Citizen A (58), who stopped by a cafe during lunchtime, said, "We come to cafes to drink coffee while talking, but being told to wear masks and only take them off when drinking is uncomfortable and cumbersome, so I wonder if it will really be followed." He added, "Recently, the weather has been getting hotter and more humid, so more people are not wearing masks, and the sense of alertness has loosened a lot, but it is actually not easy to wear a mask while eating and drinking."

Reference photo. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article.

Another cafe user, Mr. B, a man in his mid-50s, said, "I am worried because COVID-19 occurred in cafes," but added, "Still, we cannot just stop using cafes. Citizens need rest too. But even in places where we come to relax, wearing and taking off masks is very uncomfortable and cumbersome."

The situation was similar in small cafes run by individuals. Most customers were not wearing masks, and the distance between tables was narrow, so social distancing was not well maintained.

Mrs. Park, a housewife in her 60s, said, "I usually avoid cafes because they make me uneasy. I visit occasionally when I have to meet someone, but when I do, I use outdoor seating if available, or take out." She added, "When I have no choice but to use them, I endure the anxiety. Even if someone next to me is not wearing a mask, I cannot go and ask them to wear one while they are talking or eating."

She continued, "Since we cannot completely avoid cafes, I think it is necessary etiquette to refrain from talking as much as possible when not wearing masks."

From the perspective of cafe operators, there were many concerns about whether the quarantine guidelines would be well followed.

Mr. Je, 38, who runs a cafe near Jung-gu, said, "If the quarantine guidelines are strengthened and customers wear masks well, it would be good for us, but I wonder if that will really be followed." He added, "Honestly, because it is bothersome, customers might just not come in or leave. Even if quarantine is strengthened, asking customers to wear masks can create awkward situations, so it is difficult to enforce from a business standpoint."

Amid the ongoing impact of the novel coronavirus infection centered around the Seoul metropolitan area, a 'hidden' cluster infection case has emerged. The photo shows Hollys Coffee Seolleung Station branch in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, identified by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters as a location visited by confirmed cases. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Experts suggested that clear quarantine guidelines are necessary in group facilities such as cafes and restaurants.

Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "Experts have emphasized since the transition to daily quarantine that clear quarantine guidelines and regulations are needed in facilities such as cafes and restaurants." He pointed out, "However, clear guidelines have still not been issued, and many guidelines are difficult to follow."

Professor Eom said, "It is contradictory to force people to wear masks in places they visit to eat or drink." He emphasized, "A space that is as safe as possible from infectious diseases must be created even when people take off masks. Specific measures are needed, such as regulating seat arrangements and table spacing, and how to use air conditioning in enclosed spaces."

Meanwhile, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of 12 p.m. on the 5th, a total of 13 cluster infection cases related to 'Hollys Coffee Seolleung Station Branch' in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, were confirmed.

Specifically, there were 5 confirmed cases at Hollys Coffee Seolleung Station Branch, 7 confirmed cases at 'Yangjae Jokbal Bossam' in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, and 1 family member of the restaurant operator. It was confirmed that the first confirmed case who visited Hollys Coffee Seolleung Station also visited Yangjae Jokbal Bossam, so the two cases are classified as Gangnam coffee specialty store cases.

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