As the Covid-19 infection
shows no sign of diminishing, and people are becoming weary of the restrictions
placed on their lives, it might be a time to look at some unusual constraints
placed on people around the world, if just to relieve stress. Here then, are ten strange rules adopted by countries.
1) Weekend-only
lockdowns: Turkey has instituted weekend-only lockdowns for all its citizens,
while allowing mostly-normal, but restricted, operations during the weekday.
However, persons under twenty or over sixty-five who have to stay at home even
during weekdays. This supposedly protects the most vulnerable, while allowing
for normal economic activities.
2) Gender
based lock-downs: In Peru, the government has instituted odd lock-down requirements.
Men are allowed outside their homes only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,
while women are permitted outside on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sundays,
however, seem to be unrestricted.
3) ID
card lockdowns: In some parts of Colombia, lockdown days are determined by the
numbers on citizen’s ID cards. Presumably, those with fake ID’s are not affected
by this rule!
4) Talking
Drones: Kuwait and China have used “talking drones’ to order people to return
home. If people doesn’t succumb to the virus, then certainly talking drones
will scare them to death!
5) Immunity
Cards: China has introduced “COVID cards” to its citizens. These are to be
issued to citizens who tested positive to the virus and have recovered. Presumably,
the expectation is that these people have developed antibodies that prevent
future infections.
6)
Pillow
Fighting: Brazil has banned pillows on aircraft. No pillows are allowed on
airplanes entering, leaving or flying within the country. Perhaps this will
reduce viral contamination, but it certainly supports Brazilian pillow sales! 7) The
New York position: The city’s Health Department has some strange advice for
couples. It advises the use of “barriers, like walls, that allow for sexual
contact but prevent close face-to face contact.” A wall!
8) Foot
Disease. In South Africa, shops are allowed to only sell ‘closed toe’ shoes. The
science on toe-related viral transmission remains unclear.
9) The Five-Mile rule: The city of Victoria, Australia,
has banned its inhabitants from travelling more than five miles from home.
Obviously, families that get sick together, stay together.
10) Death
Deposit: Cambodia requires all foreign visitors to deposit a large sum of money
upon entry. $1,500 of the approximately $3,000 deposit goes towards cremation
services of unfortunate deceased travelers. Statistics regarding foreign travel
to Cambodia are currently unavailable.
Mohan Ashtakala is the author of "The Yoga Zapper," a fantasy, and "Karma Nation," a literary romance (www.yogazapper.com) . He is published by Books We Love, LLC. (http://bookswelove.com/ashtakala-mohan/books)
6) Pillow
Fighting: Brazil has banned pillows on aircraft. No pillows are allowed on
airplanes entering, leaving or flying within the country. Perhaps this will
reduce viral contamination, but it certainly supports Brazilian pillow sales!
8) Foot
Disease. In South Africa, shops are allowed to only sell ‘closed toe’ shoes. The
science on toe-related viral transmission remains unclear.
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