[Report] "Collective Infection Nightmare? It Must Be Over Now" Halloween in Itaewon Faces a Test of Quarantine Measures

Itaewon on Halloween Day... Merchants Eyeing Year-End Boom Grow Optimistic
Concerns Raised Over Quarantine Guidelines
Health Authorities Focus on Strict Measures in Crowded Areas

On the afternoon of the 29th, Halloween decorations were hung at the entrance of a pub in Itaewon World Food Street, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "A second Itaewon incident? We must not have such a nightmare again now.", "What if the number of confirmed cases increases?"

On the afternoon of the 29th, just before the full recovery of daily life, Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, faced a test of quarantine measures on Halloween Day. True to its reputation as the "Mecca of Halloween," Itaewon merchants welcomed the Halloween boom with high expectations, but concerns about quarantine remained. Itaewon had previously earned the stigma of being a "hotbed of COVID-19" due to a cluster infection originating from clubs in May last year.

The Itaewon World Food Street was quiet in the daytime, but many pubs and restaurants decorated their entrances with pumpkin lights, skull dolls, and spider web ornaments, making the approaching Halloween palpable.

Park (60s), who sells Halloween cosplay decorations on the street, said, "When Halloween comes, the (Itaewon) streets get really noisy and chaotic. Everyone dresses up as ghosts, drinks, and each store holds events... but this year, it's somewhat quiet because of COVID." However, he added, "Still, it seems like there are more people than last year. Last weekend, I saw a long line of young people in front of the clubs."

A man named A, who was moving food ingredients, lamented, "Last year was truly a nightmare. Everyone who came to Itaewon was criticized. Many stores closed due to lack of customers." He added, "I hope we get through this critical point well starting from this Halloween."

Electronic entry log device installed in front of a pub in Itaewon. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

On the other hand, the tension regarding quarantine was palpable. Each store had installed measures such as distancing between seats, QR code check-ins, and transparent partitions, showing their utmost efforts in self-quarantine. Park, a part-time worker at a pub, said, "Usually, only one person works in the hall, but the owner added one more person to help with QR code checks, saying we should pay more attention." He added, "I think many people will come."

B, a woman in her 30s who runs a cafe, said, "I guess the 'Halloween boom' is more expected in pubs than cafes." She continued, "Since more people have been vaccinated, sales seem to be recovering compared to before, so I feel good. We are trying to pay more attention to quarantine."

Around 5 p.m. on the 29th, people visited the Itaewon World Food Street in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Cosplayers in various costumes were noticeable throughout the area.
Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

As the merchants, who are fully prepared, expect, more people are likely to visit Itaewon this Halloween Day than last year. Moon (32, male), who came out after having lunch with colleagues, plans to visit an Itaewon pub after work that day. He expressed his anticipation, saying, "I will meet my partner and have a simple beer. Both of us have completed the second dose of the vaccine, so we want to enjoy the year-end atmosphere after a long time."

Especially as dusk fell, the crowd grew. People dressed in cosplay as police officers, various professions, or cartoon characters could be seen here and there. C, a university student who visited Itaewon with white face paint and wound makeup, said, "Since it's Friday night, I came to hang out with friends."

However, many people still could not shake off concerns about quarantine. D (female, in her 20s), who was walking the Itaewon streets with her partner, said, "Even after the business restriction time of 10 p.m., there are often crowds, so I am honestly worried." She added, "The quarantine guidelines will be lifted starting next month, but what if confirmed cases increase again and social distancing is reinforced?"

Special disinfection work is underway around 1:40 PM on the 29th at Itaewon World Food Culture Street in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

Meanwhile, quarantine authorities including the Seoul Metropolitan Government plan to thoroughly enforce quarantine measures for Halloween Day. On the 31st, the city will conduct joint crackdowns targeting entertainment districts with expected crowds of foreigners and others, such as Hongdae and Itaewon. Yongsan-gu, where Itaewon is located, also plans to establish thorough quarantine measures focusing on major dense areas to restore its past reputation as a unique commercial district.

Kim Jae-hoon, the public relations officer of Yongsan-gu, whom we met during special quarantine operations that afternoon, said, "Last year, we asked people not to come to prevent an increase in confirmed cases, but this year, many people are visiting, so we hope the commercial district recovers." He added, "However, please follow the quarantine guidelines well."

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