I asked you to be careful... Halloween Day Amusement Park Packed with People

People in the video are packed closely together to watch the Halloween parade. Photo source = Screenshot from YouTube channel 'Thema Park in the sky'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] On the 31st, Halloween day, amusement parks such as Everland were crowded with people, and this scene was shared on social networking services (SNS), raising voices of criticism over concerns about the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On that day, Everland ranked first in the real-time 'Korea Trends' on Twitter. Many crowded scenes were also posted on YouTube channels where the Halloween parade could be viewed on the same day.

Everland had prepared measures such as scaling down Halloween-related events considering COVID-19, but more people than usual gathered on Halloween day.

Netizens who saw the crowds at the amusement parks through SNS pointed out that the number of visitors should have been limited to eliminate the risk of mass infection.

One netizen criticized, "Since the government repeatedly said that Halloween is a critical point for the spread of COVID-19, shouldn't measures such as limiting the number of admission tickets have been implemented?"

On the other hand, there was also a rebuttal that continuous lockdown measures cannot be maintained indefinitely amid the uncertain end of the COVID-19 situation. One netizen argued, "How long will the doors stay closed?" and "If they operated while following quarantine guidelines, isn't there no problem?"

Earlier, the quarantine authorities issued strong quarantine guidelines to famous clubs in Seoul’s Itaewon and other areas ahead of Halloween day, fearing a 'second Itaewon' incident. Many clubs voluntarily declared business suspension.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government distributed posters containing the phrase "You could become a real ghost while trying to enjoy Halloween," strongly expressing concerns and warnings about the resurgence of COVID-19.

Some pointed out that such measures might have a balloon effect side effect, where people trying to enjoy Halloween gather in places other than clubs.