It will be interesting to see how effective these COVID patrols are going to be over the weekend:
South Korean police will be cracking down on COVID-19 violations over Halloween weekend, particularly in metropolitan areas frequented by foreigners and young adults. (Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency)
South Korean police in metropolitan districts will be cracking down on COVID-19 violations over Halloween weekend, particularly in areas frequented by foreigners and young adults.
Roughly 200 additional police officers and city workers from Yongsan, Hongdae, Itaewon and other popular districts in Seoul will conduct joint patrols between Thursday and Sunday, a senior law enforcement official told Stars and Stripes on the customary condition of anonymity.
“Patrollers, including city council officers and cops, will check whether folks are keeping a safe distance from others, wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings,” the senior law enforcement official said Wednesday. “We’ll visit businesses and guide folks to follow disinfection guidance as well.”
Although Halloween is not officially observed in the country, the holiday prompts parties and other events catered toward younger crowds and foreigners. Districts like Itaewon and Hongdae in Seoul are known for their foreigner-friendly businesses and are home to numerous bars and nightclubs.
The authorities in Seoul seem to be showing more concern about Halloween parties spreading COVID than the 25,000 KCTU protesters that showed up in the middle of Seoul:
A shopping mall in Seoul is crowded with people, Sunday. Yonhap
The health authorities are on high alert over Halloween, as the upcoming celebration, during which time popular areas such as Itaewon and Gangnam are expected to be crowded with partygoers, could serve as catalyst for massive COVID-19 infections ahead of the government’s planned shift to its “Living with COVID-19” plan.
They are also redoubling their efforts to boost the vaccination rate among foreign residents amid growing concerns that their lower participation in the inoculation program could pose a major setback to the policy shift.
The Little Britain star posted a photo of himself on Twitter dressed in a black suit, wig and apparent prosthesis – which appeared to have altered his eyelids as well as his hairline – and sparked an immediate backlash.
Many people branded the costume “racist” and accusing him of “yellow-face”. [The Independent]
