Tourists in India write 'sorry' 500 times for flouting lockdown rules

This article is more than 12 months old

Apr 14, 2020 06:00 am

NEW DELHI : Singaporeans disobeying social distancing rules should take note of this.

Ten foreigners who broke a coronavirus lockdown in an Indian town were forced to repent by writing "I am so sorry" 500 times, officials said on Sunday.

The nationwide lockdown was imposed near the end of March, with residents permitted to leave their homes only for essential services such as buying groceries and medicine.

The travellers - from Israel, Mexico, Australia and Austria - were caught taking a walk in Rishikesh, where the Beatles sought spirituality at an Ashram in 1968.

Local police officer Vinod Sharma said they were each made to write "I did not follow the rules of lockdown so I am so sorry" 500 times.

More than 700 foreign tourists from the US, Australia, Mexico and Israel staying in the area had flouted the lockdown rules, Mr Sharma said, adding the unusual punishment was handed out to teach them a lesson.- AFP, REUTERS