Unusual times call for unusual measures. In the past year and a half, most countries have been under varying kinds of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Governments around the world have issued a multitude of unprecedented, innovative, and flat out strange rules and regulations, all in the hopes of slowing the spread of the virus. Take a look at some of the more unique ones to come into effect.
1. Gender-based lockdowns: In April of 2020, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra adopted a gender-based lockdown system in order to mitigate the rise in Covid cases, with men and women alternating the days on which they would be allowed outside. The decision was reversed in a mere eight days following heavy backlash.
2. Kinky face masks: In early summer of 2020, the city of New York encouraged the use of “kinky” masks to limit the transmission of Covid through sexual intercourse. At the time, scientists confirmed that they’d found the virus in human feces and semen. The guidelines also advised that people be “creative with sexual positions” and suggested the use of physical barriers, such as walls, to limit face-to-face contact.
3. Sex positions: In response to the ban on sex work due to concerns regarding Covid, Swiss sex workers issued a variety of recommendations, such as practicing the “reverse cowgirl” and “doggy style” positions to limit face-to-face interaction.
4. Dog walking hours: During Serbia’s lockdown, the government introduced a strict “dog walking hour” between 8pm and 9pm. The order was met with public furor and quickly reversed.
5. Junk food ban: Several states in Mexico banned junk food during the lockdown in an effort to mitigate the impact of Covid on people with existing health conditions.
6. Dress code: South African health officials imposed restrictions on the sale of “revealing” clothing, including open-toed shoes and short-sleeved shirts, as a means of limiting physical contact between residents and curbing the spread of Covid.
7. Tracking wristbands: Travelers arriving in the UAE are required to wear tracking wristbands monitored by the government during a mandated 14-day quarantine.
8. Grave digging: Violators of Covid health regulations in Indonesia are subjected to grave digging as a punishment. The unique policy is seen as an “innovative way” to correct the attitudes of those who disrespect pandemic regulations and refuse to pay resulting fines.
