Bringing about a very unusual punishment, authorities in Bali are punishing foreigners that have breached the coronavirus health protocols by forcing them to do push-ups!
To avoid the spread of the coronavirus, the health authorities in the island nation have made it mandatory for the public to wear face masks. However, in the recent past, quite a few foreigners were caught without wearing a mask or wearing it improperly.
“Most of [the offences] were not bringing their masks, not wearing them properly, and some businesses not applying health protocols,” Badung regency Public Order Agency chief I Gusti Agung Kerta Suryanegara told the ABC.
More than 70 people paid a fine of 100,000 rupiah (about $9), but about 30 others said they did not have the cash. These were the tourists that were ordered to do push-ups.
Those not wearing a mask were asked to do up to 50 push-ups, while those who were wearing one in an inappropriate manner were punished with 15.
The images and videos of tourists wearing casual clothing and performing this uncommon punishment are doing the rounds on social media.
“At first, they would claim that they didn’t know the regulation,” a local security official said. “Then they said they forgot, or that the mask was wet or damaged.”
While quite a few people that were fined were locals, tourists from Europe also were included in the violators.
To ensure that the health protocols are followed diligently, government officials have said that tourists not wearing masks will not be given entry to tourist destinations and restaurants.
Bali has begun administering the vaccine for COVID-19 from last week onwards.
Isn’t this an innovative way of punishing offenders and ensuring that they follow rules? What do you think of this punishment? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
