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Coronavirus: tourists made to write ‘I am so sorry’ 500 times for flouting India lockdown
- Ten visitors were caught taking a walk in the north Indian town of Rishikesh
- A local police officer said the unusual punishment was handed out to teach them a lesson
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Ten foreigners who broke a coronavirus lockdown in an Indian town made famous by the Beatles, 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 northern India’s Rishikesh, where the Beatles sought spirituality at an ashram in 1968.
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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, Sharma said, adding the unusual punishment was handed out to teach them a lesson.
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Police said they would direct hotels in the area to allow foreign guests to step out only if accompanied by local helpers.
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