[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, has caught four singing practice rooms continuing illegal business activities similar to entertainment establishments following the easing of social distancing to level 1.5.
The government adjusted social distancing measures on the 15th of last month, setting level 2 for the metropolitan area and level 1.5 for non-metropolitan areas.
Accordingly, the five types of entertainment facilities (entertainment bars, danran bars, emotional bars, colatecs, and hunting pochas) remain under gathering restrictions, while singing practice rooms had their operating hour restrictions lifted.
As a result, some singing practice rooms were found to be soliciting customers through illegal entertainment-like operations such as hiring or arranging hostesses and providing alcoholic beverages.
This is a so-called "balloon effect," where they seek business profits by providing entertainment services in place of existing entertainment bars.
Fearing the spread of this balloon effect, the city conducted joint inspections with the local police station from the 19th to the 26th, targeting a total of 242 illegal singing practice rooms. As a result, four establishments were caught providing alcohol in singing practice rooms frequented by youths or covering transparent glass windows with tinting.
The city plans to impose administrative sanctions on the illegal singing practice rooms caught and guide them to correct their operations. Additionally, on-site guidance was provided for minor issues, including 12 cases of quarantine rule violations.
A city official stated, "The balloon effect we feared following the easing of social distancing to level 1.5 is occurring, so we will strive to promote a healthy entertainment culture through stronger joint inspections."
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