A village in Indonesia, Kepuh has deployed human ‘ghosts’ to instill discipline in villagers so they could stay indoor during the coronavirus lockdown in the country.
Reports say volunteers dress up as ghosts and lurking around at night to scare people into sticking to coronavirus lockdowns.
Wearing white bed sheets, the ‘ghosts’ have been seen jumping out at unsuspecting passersby in dark streets, standing on top of vehicles in deserted car parks and sitting on benches in public spaces.
It is one of the most bizarre measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, but it reflects an age-old superstition in parts of Southeast Asia.
Known as “pocong”, the ghostly figures are typically wrapped in white shrouds with powdered faces and kohl-rimmed eyes, and they represent the trapped souls of the dead.
Kepuh village, on Java island claim this is done to promote social distancing in the village.
Anjar Pancaningtyas, head of a youth group that coordinated with police, said;
We wanted to be different and create a deterrent effect because ‘pocong’ are spooky and scary.
But when they first started appearing this month they had the opposite effect. Instead of keeping people in, they brought them out to catch a glimpse of the apparitions.
The organisers have since changed tack, launching surprise pocong patrols, with village volunteers playing the part of the ghosts.
A resident, Karno Supadmo told Reuters;
Since the pocong appeared, parents and children have not left their homes. And people will not gather or stay on the streets after evening prayers.
President Joko Widodo had rejected a call for a national lockdown, instead urging people to practice social distancing and good hygiene.
But with the highest rate of coronavirus deaths in Asia after China, some communities, such as Kepuh village, have decided to take measures into their own hands, imposing the ghostly patrols, lockdowns and restricting movement in and out of their village.
Village head Priyadi said;
Residents still lack awareness about how to curb the spread of Covid-19 disease. They want to live like normal so it is very difficult for them to follow the instruction to stay at home.
There are now 4,557 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Indonesia as at Tuesday morning, and 399 deaths, with fears the numbers will rise significantly in coming weeks.
