Concerns Over 4th Wave Surge: Could Sneaky Operations at 'Lounge Bars' Trigger Cluster Infections?

Infection Spread at Mapo District Restaurants and Gyeonggi English Academies
Some Confirmed Cases Visited Venues Essentially Operating as 'Lounge Bars' Like Clubs
Despite Ongoing Criticism of Evasive Business Practices, Operations Continue
Self-Employed Express "Why Should We Suffer?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] As COVID-19 shows signs of resurgence, concerns are rising that ‘lounge bars’?registered as regular restaurants but operating like clubs?could become hotspots for mass infections. In particular, if confirmed cases arise from the illicit operations of these ‘lounge bars,’ other self-employed business owners who suffer the resulting business losses are voicing growing dissatisfaction.

Earlier, from the 16th to the 28th of last month, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Seoul City sent text messages urging those who visited eight restaurants near Hongdae in Mapo-gu (La Bamba, Zen Bar, Dokkaebi Club, FF Club, Awesome, Seoul Pub, Corner Pub, Makondova) to get tested for COVID-19. Among these establishments, it was confirmed that the first confirmed case related to a Mapo-gu restaurant and a metropolitan area English academy visited La Bamba, and health authorities estimate that confirmed cases from there also visited other venues. As of the 2nd, the cumulative number of confirmed cases related to this incident has reached 242. Several infected with the highly transmissible ‘Delta variant’ virus were also identified in this case.

Some of these establishments are registered as regular restaurants but operate essentially as clubs, so-called ‘lounge bars.’ Even when clubs classified as entertainment facilities were ordered to close, about four to five lounge bars in areas like Gangnam and Hongdae continued to operate, evading regulations. Some were subject to closure orders for violating quarantine rules but reopened once the prohibition period ended, continuing their operations. Given the nature of their business?serving alcohol and dancing similarly to clubs?it is highly likely that quarantine rules were not properly followed. There are also indications that record-keeping was poorly managed in some cases.

In fact, most of the previously visited lounge bars were frequently observed with patrons not maintaining social distancing or wearing masks while drinking and smoking. Especially since these patrons often move between multiple lounge bars or pubs at the same time, the risk factors for mass infection are always present. The possibility of additional confirmed cases related to this incident at these facilities cannot be ruled out. This is also why visitors are urged to get tested proactively. Because of these reasons, there have been ongoing calls to manage establishments registered as regular restaurants but operating like clubs under the same standards as clubs and other entertainment facilities.

Among self-employed business owners, voices condemning this situation have also emerged. Despite having the same business operations, some sectors are classified as entertainment facilities and regulated, while others cleverly evade regulations, making the quarantine policy seem unfair. Jeon Jae-woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Entertainment Food Service Association, said, "If places engaging in such illicit operations are left unchecked and confirmed cases occur, other self-employed business owners end up bearing the full responsibility," adding, "Entertainment facility owners have been unable to operate for a year and a half and had hoped to resume business, but this incident has shattered all their hopes again."

Meanwhile, Mapo-gu in Seoul has decided to conduct special quarantine inspections targeting about 1,200 establishments, including restaurants, cafes, and pubs in the Hongdae area, until the 14th.

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