Na Hoon-a's Six Year-End Performances at Busan BEXCO
"New COVID Cases to Exceed 10,000 at Year-End and New Year"
Citizens Say "Concert Should Be Postponed"
Kim Boo-kyum: "Will Decide Special Quarantine Measures if Crisis Continues"
On the afternoon of the 9th, banners for the 'Na Hoon-a Concert' were displayed at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu, Busan. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Do we really have to hold the concert right now?"
With the number of new COVID-19 cases remaining in the 7,000 range for three consecutive days and the spread of the virus becoming severe, concerns are growing as large-scale performances such as the Na Hoon-a concert are scheduled one after another. The health authorities initially allowed entry to concerts only for those who had completed vaccination or had a negative PCR test certificate. However, since there are quite a few asymptomatic or mild cases, there are concerns that concerts could become new clusters of infection.
In particular, anxiety is increasing as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads in earnest. As major quarantine indicators worsen and there are predictions that daily confirmed cases could exceed 10,000 within this month, some citizens are expressing concerns that concerts should be postponed.
From today (the 10th) for three days, the 'Na Hoon-a AGAIN Tess-hyung Busan Concert' will be held at BEXCO in Haeundae-gu. The concert will be held six times, with about 4,000 people per performance, so up to 24,000 people are expected to attend. Previously, this concert was scheduled for August but was postponed once due to the spread of COVID-19.
However, with the Omicron variant spreading domestically, concerns about infection transmission at large-scale performances are high. Accordingly, the Na Hoon-a concert organizer initially planned to leave one empty seat for every two seats but decided to leave one empty seat for every one seat. Also, the concert is subject to the quarantine pass (vaccination certificate/negative test confirmation) system, and activities that may produce droplets such as shouting slogans, singing in chorus, and eating or drinking are all prohibited.
At Busan BEXCO, large-scale performances are lined up besides the Na Hoon-a concert. On the 18th, a 2,000-seat Lee Seung-chul concert is scheduled, and on the 25th, a 4,000-seat 'Show Me The Money' performance is planned.
According to current quarantine guidelines, gatherings or meetings are limited to fewer than 500 people. However, for non-regular facility performances or sports events, if approved by the government and local governments, up to 5,000 spectators can be admitted per event regardless of the facility or area.
On the morning of the 10th, citizens holding umbrellas lined up to get tested in front of the COVID-19 screening clinic at Songpa Public Health Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Given this situation, citizens' anxiety is growing. This is because there is considerable concern about cluster infections as a large number of people gather in enclosed spaces.
Son (25), a university student in Busan, said, "With so many confirmed cases continuously appearing in Busan, I hesitate to go outside. I think concerts are dangerous in this situation," adding, "After the 'With Corona' (gradual recovery of daily life), gathering limits were reinstated. Since the spread of COVID-19 has become serious, I hope the concert is postponed."
Meanwhile, there are concerns as forecasts suggest that if the current spread continues, the number of new confirmed cases could reach 10,000 by the end of the year or early next year.
According to the short-term COVID-19 case prediction results submitted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to the office of National Assembly member Seo Jeong-sook of the People Power Party on the 9th, the authorities expect that if the outbreak worsens, new confirmed cases could be in the 8,000 to 9,000 range by the end of this month and 8,000 to 11,000 by the end of January 2022.
Regarding this, the civic group Busan Gyeongnam Future Policy stated in a press release, "There will be as many as 60 performances held in the Busan area until the end of January next year," and "Busan City should find ways to cancel performances by its own authority and, if necessary, request administrative measures from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters."
In addition, performances targeting teenagers with low vaccination rates are scheduled nationwide, increasing quarantine concerns. Ment 'Street Woman Fighter' cast members will tour nationwide, performing in Daegu on the 12th, Changwon, Gyeongnam on the 18th, Incheon on the 25th, and Seoul on the 1st and 2nd of next month. These performances will be held with over 2,000 seats per show.
Meanwhile, health authorities stated that if the current spread continues, quarantine measures such as social distancing may be further strengthened.
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the day and said, "Although enhanced quarantine measures have been implemented since this week, their effects have not yet become visible," adding, "If it is judged that it will be difficult to reverse the crisis phase our community is facing soon, the government will have no choice but to decide on special quarantine measures including strong social distancing."
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