COVID-19 Vaccine Inoculation Fully Begins on the Morning of the 26th
Concerns in Some Areas That "People in Their 20s and 30s Might Feel Safe and Party More After Vaccination"
Despite Past Gathering Bans, 'Wonjeong Club Entertainment' Defies Quarantine Rules
The photo is an archival image. It is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Now that people have been vaccinated, won't they openly go to clubs or hunting pochas?"
On the 26th, as COVID-19 vaccinations began in earnest, concerns are growing that some young people in their 20s and 30s who previously violated quarantine rules by visiting clubs and enjoying nightlife might now enjoy nightlife even more actively and violate quarantine rules after getting vaccinated.
This is not the first time there have been concerns about the spread of COVID-19 due to young people visiting clubs. Earlier, in May last year, the quarantine authorities issued a ban on gatherings at most entertainment facilities in the metropolitan area due to the COVID-19 outbreak originating from clubs in Itaewon, Seoul. However, some young people enjoyed so-called 'expedition club nightlife' by traveling to other regions. This is why there are concerns that vaccination might lead to a lax attitude toward quarantine among young people.
Previously, some clubs faced criticism from citizens for operating irregularly. It is said that such operations were possible because many young people visited clubs.
The problematic clubs operated a so-called 'two-shift system,' where they would send customers out between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., then reopen between 4 and 5 p.m. and operate until 10 p.m., receiving customers in their 20s and 30s. Citizens expressed outrage and criticized this as incomprehensible.
Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "The biggest problem with people in their 20s and 30s who visit hunting pochas or clubs is that someone ends up being diagnosed with COVID-19 and suffers significant damage because of them," and raised his voice saying, "I hope the government takes strong measures."
Another office worker in his 30s, Lee, said, "I understand that young people want to go to clubs, but they need to hold back for now," and pointed out, "When social distancing levels rise, self-employed people suffer greatly." He added, "I'm also worried that people might feel safe after getting vaccinated and party even more."
As citizens worry, anxiety about the spread of COVID-19 due to young people's nightlife continues. Especially during the COVID-19 outbreak from Itaewon clubs in May last year, young people enjoyed expedition nightlife by visiting regions where quarantine authorities had not issued gathering bans.
On May 10 last year, in a KakaoTalk group chat. As a cluster of COVID-19 cases emerged from a club in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the government issued a gathering ban order, leading people to seek clubs that were open in other regions. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr
Some young people created KakaoTalk open chat rooms and visited clubs where gathering bans were not imposed. Open chat rooms allow conversations without revealing one's identity, serving as a tool for meeting strangers and enjoying expedition nightlife.
A participant, A, in the chat room at the time asked, "Is there any club open in Gangbuk, Seoul?" trying to find clubs that were operating or planning to open. Also, B asked, "Is there any place open now?" to which C replied, "Somewhere in Incheon or Gyeonggi."
Another chat room showed a similar situation. Participants shared information about entertainment facilities that were open despite their locations being under gathering bans. Participant D actively sought open clubs by asking, "Is OO open today?"
On the afternoon of May 7 last year, a COVID-19 confirmed patient visited a club in Itaewon, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Amid concerns that vaccination might lead to a lax attitude toward quarantine among some young people, the government decided to extend the current social distancing level (Level 2 in the metropolitan area, Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas) for two more weeks. The ban on gatherings of five or more people and restrictions on business hours will also be maintained as they are.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced this decision at a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 26th, stating that the measures will be applied starting next week.
Prime Minister Chung said, "Although the rapid spread we feared after the Lunar New Year holiday has not appeared, the current situation is that we have not yet reached stability," adding, "Sporadic cluster infections continue in various places in daily life. The infection reproduction number has exceeded 1 for two consecutive weeks, and the increase in outings and contacts due to the new school semester in spring is also a risk factor for quarantine. The continuously confirmed influx of variant viruses is also a concern."
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