Despite Concerns Over COVID Resurgence... Clubs Hold Weekly 'Relay Parties'

Clubs Attract Customers with 'After Parties and Events'
'Hot Places' Still Draw Crowds

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows signs of spreading again, clubs that had closed during the Halloween period are once again attracting customers with various events.

Most clubs near Gangnam, Itaewon, and Hongdae, which had closed around October 31, Halloween Day, have reopened as of the 14th. At that time, when the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a strict response policy against non-compliance with quarantine measures inside clubs during Halloween, almost all clubs in Seoul decided to temporarily close.

However, starting from the weekend of the 6th, the first weekend after Halloween, various events branded as 'after parties' have been held mainly at some clubs. These clubs are competing to promote themselves by offering free admission, alcoholic beverages, and performances. They are trying to compensate as much as possible for the losses incurred from being unable to operate on the peak Halloween day. Similar events were held at some clubs the day before as well. Sales staff, known as 'MDs,' are actively recruiting customers through social networking services (SNS) and messengers.

Major entertainment districts in the metropolitan area see a steady flow of young people visiting clubs or hunting pubs every weekend. Popular bars or clubs are so crowded that customers often have to wait to get in. On the other hand, violations of quarantine rules such as not wearing masks or failing to maintain social distancing, which occur every time, show little sign of improvement. A club official said, "It is almost impossible to wear masks properly while drinking and dancing in clubs," adding, "There are probably very few clubs that strictly follow all quarantine rules, including the maximum allowed number of entrants."

With the end of the one-month grace period for the new Infectious Disease Prevention Act, fines will be imposed starting yesterday for violations of quarantine guidelines such as mask-wearing. Mask-wearing is mandatory in key management facilities including clubs and entertainment establishments, 23 types of general management facilities, public transportation, assembly and protest sites, medical institutions and pharmacies, nursing facilities and day/night care facilities, and religious facilities.

Meanwhile, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases recorded yesterday was 191, approaching 200. The cumulative number of confirmed cases reached 28,133. This is the highest number in 70 days since September 4 (198 cases).

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