Ghosts petrol Indonesian streets to keep people indoors amid coronavirus outbreak

New Delhi : Kepuh village in Indonesia has recently noted the presence of ghosts on the streets – a mysterious white figure that jumps unexpectedly and then disappears in the sky.

The village on Java island has deployed a cast of "ghosts" to patrol the streets, hoping that the age-old superstition will trick in keeping the people inside their homes and away from the coronavirus.

"We wanted to be different and create a deterrent effect because 'pocong' are spooky and scary," said Anjar Pancaningtyas, head of a village youth group that coordinated with the police on the unconventional initiative to promote social distancing as the coronavirus spreads.

Known as "pocong", the ghostly figures are typically wrapped in white shrouds with powdered faces and kohl-rimmed eyes. In Indonesian folklore they represent the trapped souls of the dead.

During their first appearance, the idea backfired as it brought people out on street to get their one glimpse.

While President Joko Widodo has resisted a national lockdown, some communities in the nation have now taken the matter into their hands and invented ways to keep people inside their houses.

"Residents still lack awareness about how to curb the spread of COVID-19 disease," said village head Priyadi, "They want to live like normal so it is very difficult for them to follow the instruction to stay at home."

There are now 4,241 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Indonesia, and 373 deaths, with fears the numbers will rise significantly.