[On-site Video] "Let's Enjoy a Bit" vs "Worry About COVID"… Halloween Crowds of 2030, What About 'With Corona'?

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Yoon Jin-geun] "Will anything happen?", "Corona will break out again."

On the 31st, young people in their 20s and 30s gathered in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, were busy enjoying the Halloween festival held in conjunction with the start of 'With Corona.' However, some expressed concerns that COVID-19 might spread again.

A man in his late 40s, Mr. A, who said he visited Itaewon streets from Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province that day, said, "Compared to last year, the number of participants in this year's Halloween festival is explosively large." He added, "I think people came out all at once as the stress accumulated from COVID-19 burst out."

Regarding concerns about the spread of COVID-19, he said, "People are cautious and careful, but there are parts that seem risky," and added, "Social distancing is somewhat insufficient." However, Mr. A also said, "Still, I think we should try to understand."

Office worker Mr. B (37) said, "I came with my group to enjoy the festival. Today, there are fewer people than yesterday, but still many people gathered." He continued, "Some may feel uncomfortable with us, but when else would we do this? It only comes once a year... so I think people are enjoying it a lot."

In this regard, some people were seen not wearing masks at all or smoking in various places on the street. All of these are violations of quarantine rules. Given this situation, there are concerns that COVID-19 might spread again.

Other office workers, Mr. C (25) and Mr. D (25), expressed anxiety about the spread of COVID-19. They pointed out that with so many people gathering, there is a risk that COVID-19 originating from Itaewon might spread.

Crowds filling the streets of Itaewon. Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97@

On May 16 last year, a 'Itaewon club-related COVID-19 cluster infection' occurred in Itaewon. As of the 16th, there were 162 confirmed cases related to the Itaewon clubs, and among them, secondary or further transmission accounted for 46%.

Mr. C said, "I am worried," adding, "From the perspective of self-employed people, it might be fortunate, but I am concerned about the spread of COVID-19," and said, "So, I worry whether 'With Corona' can already be implemented." He also said, "(Regarding the crowd) we should wear masks properly and discreetly comply with the measures and follow the quarantine rules..." and lamented, "I am worried that the spread of COVID-19 might worsen."

The scene of the crowded streets of Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the evening of October 31st, Halloween Day. Under a banner that reads "Please wear masks for a safe Itaewon," young people in their 20s and 30s are gathered. Photo by Yoon Seulgi seul97@

Meanwhile, the government repeatedly urged compliance with quarantine rules. Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) and Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said at the CDSCH meeting on the 31st, "The government and local governments are implementing special quarantine management measures, including joint patrol inspections by related agencies (October 27 to November 2) focusing on areas densely populated by foreigners and frequently visited places, along with campaigns to refrain from gatherings," and emphasized, "We will strictly take action against foreigners who violate quarantine rules according to relevant laws."

Deputy Jeon said, "The average daily number of confirmed cases over the past week was 1,829, an increase of about 34% compared to last week," expressing concern that "large-scale cluster infections have occurred in hospitals in the Gyeongnam region, and there are ongoing large and small cluster infection cases by region."

He continued, "The increase in personal contacts due to the implementation of daily life recovery, the rise in private gatherings during the year-end and New Year holidays, and the risk factors such as enclosed environments in winter are also concerning," and said, "Thorough quarantine management is essential for the stable and continuous implementation of the phased daily life recovery."