"Remember Itaewon Club Incident" Government Intensifies Club Inspections Ahead of Halloween (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government is strengthening quarantine management for high-risk facilities such as clubs to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) originating from clubs ahead of Halloween Day.

Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) and Minister of Health and Welfare, stated at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 25th, "Until the 31st, during late-night weekend hours (10 PM to 3 AM), we will conduct focused inspections on compliance with core quarantine rules at entertainment facilities in major areas such as Seoul, Incheon, and Busan."

The major areas include △Itaewon in Seoul △Hongdae △Kondaeipgu △Gangnam Station △Gyodae Station △Sinchon Station △Bupyeong in Incheon △Seomyeon in Busan.

During this period, the 'One-Strike Out Policy' will be applied, whereby entertainment facilities such as clubs that violate core quarantine rules such as maintaining visitor logs, wearing masks, and social distancing will be immediately subject to closure or legal action. Deputy Director Park said, "Please remember the cluster infection originating from the Itaewon clubs in May," adding, "A moment of negligence can make this winter difficult for all of us."

He also reiterated, "We ask that gatherings where many people come together in enclosed spaces and have close contact be refrained from this Halloween Day."