[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Ahead of Halloween Day on the 31st, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to conduct intensive on-site inspections of about 150 dance entertainment venues in the city to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and will immediately impose a ban on gatherings if violations are found.
Park Yumi, Seoul's Quarantine Control Officer (Director of the Citizen Health Bureau), held a briefing on the 28th and stated, "From today, special inspections will be conducted on a total of 153 dance entertainment venues in Seoul, including 44 clubs, 64 emotional pubs, and 45 colatecs, until November 3," adding, "This information has been communicated to the representatives of each establishment, and notices have been posted."
The city plans to focus management by assigning two dedicated responsible public officials per venue to inspect quarantine rules at a total of 108 venues, including clubs and emotional pubs popular among young people, during the three days from the 29th to the 31st.
Since the 23rd, the city has been checking compliance with quarantine rules at establishments in cooperation with 25 autonomous districts by region. In particular, for seven densely populated areas with many clubs?Yongsan (Itaewon Station), Mapo (Hongdae Club Street), Gangnam (Nonhyeon-dong and Cheongdam-dong), Seocho (around Gangnam Station), Gwangjin (Konkuk University Food Alley), Gwanak (around Sillim Intersection), and Gangbuk (Suyu Station and district office area)?joint inspections are being conducted with the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety during late-night hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The city plans to immediately enforce a 'ban on gatherings' if any establishments are found violating quarantine rules during these inspections. A city official said, "We received legal advice confirming that immediate administrative measures such as bans on gatherings are possible to ensure the effectiveness of quarantine measures."
Park, the control officer, said, "We are also discussing with representatives of clubs, emotional pubs, and colatecs the possibility of not operating on Friday and Saturday this week," adding, "We will gather opinions from general establishments to finalize an agreement."
Inspections will also be conducted to strengthen quarantine at various Halloween promotions at hotels in the Itaewon area and Halloween events at amusement facilities. Since many citizens are expected to visit large-scale amusement facilities like Lotte World, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Songpa District will jointly promote quarantine management guidance and inspections.
Park emphasized, "When many people gather in enclosed spaces, COVID-19 can spread easily, and there is a high possibility of a recurrence of the cluster infection originating from Itaewon clubs," adding, "Especially if cluster infections among highly active young people spread to the local community, there is a significant risk of large-scale spread to vulnerable elderly people and facilities. Therefore, citizens are urged to refrain from visiting multi-use facilities such as clubs, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment pubs as much as possible."
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