Foreigners visiting Bali are being forced by police to do push-ups for not complying with mask laws.
Normally, the fine for not wearing a mask is 100,000 rupiah, which is equal to roughly $7. But tourists who are unable to pay the fine must instead do 50 push-ups.
Not wearing your mask properly will cost you 15 push-ups.
Much like the rest of the world, wearing a face mask became mandatory in Bali last year when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The vast majority of locals are compliant with the law.
Many foreigners, however, have been caught violating it. In fact, it has been reported that as many as 90% of mask violations in Bali have been from foreign visitors.
Bali police officer Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara stated, “Respect for the wearing of the mask by foreign tourists is very low. First they say they didn’t know the law, then they say that they forgot, and that their mask is wet or damaged.”
Although tourists have been barred from entering Bali since April, there are many who are there as long-term residents. Foreigners coming from other parts of Indonesia are also able to enter Bali.
Indonesia has had almost one million positive COVID-19 cases and the number continues to rise. The country was originally planning to reopen in September 2020, but delayed doing so because of the continual rise in the number of cases and related deaths.
In addition to monetary fines and push-ups, authorities in Bali have warned that foreigners refusing to adhere to mask regulations could be booted from the country.
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