Village uses people dressed as ghosts to scare locals into staying inside in lockdown

A village in Indonesia is using people dressed as ghosts to scare residents into social distancing.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Kepuh village, on Java Island, started deploying the patrols at night last month in a bid to scare locals into practising social distancing.

In Indonesian folklore, ghostly figures known as "pocong" are said to represent the trapped souls of the dead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Indonesia so far has about 4,500 cases and 400 confirmed virus deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

People have been dressing up as ghosts in Indonesia.People have been dressing up as ghosts in Indonesia.
People have been dressing up as ghosts in Indonesia.

Originally, people came out to try and spot the ghosts – but now people are stopping at home.

"We wanted to be different and create a deterrent effect because pocong are spooky and scary," organiser Anjar Pancaningtyas, told Reuters.

Indonesia has not yet implemented a national lockdown, despite fears the country's healthcare system could be overwhelmed without tougher measures.

The number of cases in the country is thought to be far higher than reported.

Related topics: