Will It Be a 'Quiet Halloween'? ... Famous Clubs Announce Consecutive 'Relay Closures'

Gangnam, Hongdae, Itaewon Clubs Declare Halloween Day Closures One After Another

Most Clubs in Gangnam Area Likely to Shut Down
Clubs Say "Don't Want to Become a Test Case" Amid Strict Enforcement of Quarantine Rules
Many Already Under Gathering Ban Orders... Some May Continue Operating
Concerns Over Balloon Effect as 'Lounge Bars and Hunting Pocha' Attract Crowds

On the 10th, when Seoul city issued a 'gathering ban order' for all entertainment facilities in Seoul following the Itaewon club COVID-19 cluster infection incident, the Itaewon area in Seoul appeared quiet. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon, Intern Reporter Lee Joon-hyung] As clubs receiving administrative orders to close or voluntarily shutting down continue to increase, this year's Halloween Day is expected to lack the usual crowded club scenes. Most clubs in the Gangnam area of Seoul have decided to close around October 31, Halloween Day.

As of the 29th, clubs near Gangnam, Itaewon, and Hongdae have been deciding to voluntarily close during the Halloween period. About 10 out of roughly 30 well-known clubs have expressed this intention. Other clubs are reportedly planning to decide on their operation status by that day. A representative from Club A said, "There is a high possibility that quarantine rules will not be properly followed during Halloween," adding, "The atmosphere is that it's better to give up one day of business than to be caught violating rules and face suspension."

Earlier, Gangnam-gu issued administrative orders to prohibit gatherings at 3 out of 6 clubs in the district from October 28 to November 3, the week of Halloween Day. These clubs were caught violating quarantine rules during their operations and reported to the district office. Two other clubs had already voluntarily ceased operations, and the remaining one is reportedly considering whether to close following Gangnam-gu office's recommendation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among four clubs near Gangnam Station under Seocho-gu jurisdiction, two received gathering prohibition orders the previous day and will be unable to operate for two weeks. If the remaining two also decide to close, virtually all clubs in the Gangnam area will be shut on Halloween Day. In Yongsan-gu, which includes Itaewon, one club, and in Mapo-gu, which includes Hongdae, seven clubs reportedly received gathering prohibition orders for violating quarantine rules.

However, if a significant number of clubs close, a balloon effect may occur where people flock to so-called 'lounge bars' or 'hunting pochas'?establishments operating similarly to clubs but registered as regular restaurants. There are also movements detected where people try to visit clubs in suburban areas of the metropolitan area, where enforcement is expected to be less strict.

Meanwhile, the Seoul city government has announced that if violations are detected during Halloween club inspections, immediate gathering prohibition measures will be enforced on-site. Health authorities have repeatedly urged people to refrain from gatherings and event participation, warning of the risk of a resurgence of COVID-19 during Halloween. Inspection teams composed of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, local governments, and the National Police Agency will conduct nationwide inspections of major entertainment venues on Halloween Day.

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