The next time you leave the house, you might want to make sure you’ve got a mask on (and have an extra just in case!) unless you want to be subject to some push-ups on the streets.
In a bid to ramp-up mask use among those who are out and about here in Bali, pecalang (traditional Balinese security forces) officers have reportedly disciplined those caught without it by subjecting them to the unique punishment.
We’ve seen some officers in action, courtesy of photos and videos circulating on Instagram recently, whereby motorbike drivers are told to do push-ups and later provided with masks to wear while they are out.
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This is taking place in at least one traditional village in Bali, namely Intaran traditional village in Sanur. The local pecalang there will reportedly stop anyone caught not using masks to inform them of the rule in place, which is being carried out to curb the spread of COVID-19. They are currently raising awareness of the mandatory mask policy, which is set to be officially enforced starting May 1.
Intaran village chief I Gusti Agung Alit Kencana told Tribun that those without masks will not be permitted entry into the village, and anyone caught violating the rule will have to pay a fine equivalent to 5 kilograms of rice (with 1 kilogram being around IDR15K) and commit to community work.
The mandatory mask use in Intaran also extends to local sellers in the area, though for them the sanction will be temporary closure of their respective stalls or shops.
“We will not allow [violators] to do trade activity. Stalls, shops, or wherever they do business will be sealed,” Alit was quoted as saying.
Indonesia started urging people to wear face masks whenever they are out in public since early April, with head of the country’s COVID-19 rapid response task force, Doni Monardo, emphasizing that ordinary citizens can wear cloth masks or masks made from other materials. Meanwhile, medical-grade masks, such as surgical masks and N95 masks, should still be prioritized for healthcare providers and medical professionals working on the frontlines.
Traffic police in Bali also appear to be actively urging the public to use masks whenever they are out, as seen in videos uploaded by Bali Police Traffic Directorate on Instagram, such as this one:
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Some of our furry friends have also heeded the recommendation. In one video that’s been making its rounds on social media, a person riding a bicycle and his dog can both be seen adorning the protective cover.
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