Foreigners caught not wearing face masks on the Indonesian resort island of Bali are being subject to an unusual punishment: push-ups.

Video footage circulating on social media this week shows tourists in T-shirts and shorts being made to do the exercise in sweltering tropical heat as masked security officials stood over them.

Bali authorities made wearing a face mask in public mandatory last year as&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;battled a raging Covid-19 outbreak.

In recent days, however, scores of foreigners have been caught without face coverings, said security official Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara.

More than 70 people paid a fine of 100,000 rupiah ($7), but about 30 others said they did not have the cash.

Instead, they were ordered to do push-ups.

Those not carrying a mask had to do up to 50, while those who were wearing one improperly were punished with 15.&nbsp;

"At first, they would claim that they didn't know the regulation," Suryanegara told AFP.&nbsp;"Then they said they forgot, or that the mask was wet or damaged."

Some Indonesians on the island, which is a pocket of Hinduism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, have also been hit with the unusual punishment.

Bali's authorities have also warned that foreigners who break virus regulations could be thrown out of the country, although so far there have no reports of anyone being deported for failing to wear a mask.

The island, which has been hammered by the epidemic, remains officially closed to overseas tourists but is home to many long-term residents from abroad.

Foreigners living elsewhere in&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;can still visit.&nbsp;

Foreigners caught not wearing face masks on the Indonesian resort island of Bali are being subject to an unusual punishment: push-ups. Video footage circulating on social media this week shows tourists in T-shirts and shorts being made to do the exercise in sweltering tropical heat as masked security officials stood over them.

Foreigners caught not wearing face masks on the Indonesian resort island of Bali are being subject to an unusual punishment: push-ups. Video footage circulating on social media this week shows tourists in T-shirts and shorts being made to do the exercise in sweltering tropical heat as masked security officials stood over them. Bali authorities made wearing a face mask in public mandatory last year as Indonesia battled a raging Covid-19 outbreak. In recent days, however, scores of foreigners have been caught without face coverings, said security official Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara. More than 70 people paid a fine of 100,000 rupiah ($7), but about 30 others said they did not have the cash. Instead, they were ordered to do push-ups. Those not carrying a mask had to do up to 50, while those who were wearing one improperly were punished with 15. "At first, they would claim that they didn't know the regulation," Suryanegara told AFP. "Then they said they forgot, or that the mask was wet or damaged." Some Indonesians on the island, which is a pocket of Hinduism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, have also been hit with the unusual punishment. Bali's authorities have also warned that foreigners who break virus regulations could be thrown out of the country, although so far there have no reports of anyone being deported for failing to wear a mask. The island, which has been hammered by the epidemic, remains officially closed to overseas tourists but is home to many long-term residents from abroad. Foreigners living elsewhere in Indonesia can still visit.

Foreigners without face masks punished with push-ups in Bali

Muslim-majority countries are asking companies manufacturing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a>&nbsp;to issue halal certification.

The halal certification will ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines&nbsp;do not contain any ingredient that Islam does not permit its followers to consume, primarily alcohol and&nbsp;pork.&nbsp;

The spread of inaccurate and irresponsible information by the anti-vaccination movement may inflict more harm than good on Muslim communities.

Information addressing religious concerns such as the halal issue must be made a priority and communicated well to the general public, encouraging not only the acceptance of vaccinations but motivating communities to play an active role in promoting vaccination.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-expects-halal-certificate-for-an-experimental-vaccine-348330">Indonesia expects halal certificate for an experimental vaccine</a>

A study by the Indonesian Ulema Council Halal Product Guarantee Agency and Institute for the Assessment of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics has been completed and has been submitted to the council for the making of a fatwa and halal certification, Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said at a news conference.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo warned his ministers not to rush the launching of a novel coronavirus vaccine amid public concerns about whether it would be certified halal, or permissible under Islamic law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We should consider public perception regarding the halal status of potential COVID-19 vaccines,” he said during a meeting. 
 
Controversy over whether vaccines adhere to Islamic principles has stymied public health responses before in Indonesia, including in 2018, when the Indonesian Ulema Council issued a fatwa or ruling declaring that a measles vaccine was haram, or forbidden under Islam. 
 
“Public communication regarding the halal status, price, quality, and distribution must be well-prepared,” he added.

The much-anticipated Covid-19 vaccine need not be halal in order to be administered in Malaysia, said Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah, allaying concerns among local Muslims about the shots containing substances forbidden by Islam.

"If they can get the halal certification that would be better, but we do not register a medicine based on halal status or not. We do register non-halal medicine too," Noor Hisham said.

Malaysian pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga has said it is planning to build the world's first "halal vaccine" facility by 2022.

Malaysia&nbsp;inked a deal with Pfizer in November&nbsp;to supply 12.8 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 20 per cent of the population. It has also entered a pact with the Covax facility to cover another 10 per cent of the population.&nbsp;

The country is also set to obtain the vaccine from China&nbsp;which has raised questions among Muslims over its halal status.

Muslim-majority countries are asking companies manufacturing coronavirus vaccines to issue halal certification. The halal certification will ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any ingredient that Islam does not permit its followers to consume, primarily alcohol and pork.

Muslim-majority countries are asking companies manufacturing coronavirus vaccines to issue halal certification. The halal certification will ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any ingredient that Islam does not permit its followers to consume, primarily alcohol and pork. The spread of inaccurate and irresponsible information by the anti-vaccination movement may inflict more harm than good on Muslim communities. Information addressing religious concerns such as the halal issue must be made a priority and communicated well to the general public, encouraging not only the acceptance of vaccinations but motivating communities to play an active role in promoting vaccination. Also read: Indonesia expects halal certificate for an experimental vaccine A study by the Indonesian Ulema Council Halal Product Guarantee Agency and Institute for the Assessment of Food, Drugs and Cosmetics has been completed and has been submitted to the council for the making of a fatwa and halal certification, Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said at a news conference. Indonesian President Joko Widodo warned his ministers not to rush the launching of a novel coronavirus vaccine amid public concerns about whether it would be certified halal, or permissible under Islamic law. “We should consider public perception regarding the halal status of potential COVID-19 vaccines,” he said during a meeting. Controversy over whether vaccines adhere to Islamic principles has stymied public health responses before in Indonesia, including in 2018, when the Indonesian Ulema Council issued a fatwa or ruling declaring that a measles vaccine was haram, or forbidden under Islam. “Public communication regarding the halal status, price, quality, and distribution must be well-prepared,” he added. The much-anticipated Covid-19 vaccine need not be halal in order to be administered in Malaysia, said Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah, allaying concerns among local Muslims about the shots containing substances forbidden by Islam. "If they can get the halal certification that would be better, but we do not register a medicine based on halal status or not. We do register non-halal medicine too," Noor Hisham said. Malaysian pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga has said it is planning to build the world's first "halal vaccine" facility by 2022. Malaysia inked a deal with Pfizer in November to supply 12.8 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 20 per cent of the population. It has also entered a pact with the Covax facility to cover another 10 per cent of the population. The country is also set to obtain the vaccine from China which has raised questions among Muslims over its halal status.

Malaysia in race to make world's first 'halal vaccine'

An Indonesian politician is facing a lot of criticism after he asked female civil servants to wear niqab once in a week in defence of novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

Mohammad Suhaili Fadhil Thohir, the head of Central Lombok regency, said he made the decision after government employees complained about wearing face masks in the office during calisthenics held outside every Friday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-military-academy-in-west-java-province-hit-by-covid-19-outbreak-over-1300-infected-312753">Indonesia's military academy in West Java province hit by COVID-19 outbreak; over 1,300 infected</a>

Critics slam the order as a means to impose conservative Islamic rules and said niqab did not bring sufficient protection to curb the spread of coronavirus.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-president-threatens-to-reshuffle-cabinet-over-covid-19-response-309214">Indonesian president threatens to reshuffle cabinet over COVID-19 response</a>

Thohir however defended his order and denied calling it based on "radical teachings or fanaticism".&nbsp;

"It is purely for COVID-19 prevention," he said, reported AFP, adding there is no punishment for ignoring this rule.&nbsp;

"To make sure civil servants cover their nose and mouth during the weekly exercise we asked them to wear veils."

The policy that was imposed last month asked male civil servants to don medical masks while performing these exercises.&nbsp;

The rights groups have slammed the move and called for a review.&nbsp;

"The policy should be reviewed because it could threaten women's health rights," Andy Yentriyani, a commissioner at the National Commission on Violence Against Women said.&nbsp;

However, Yayuh, a civil servant, said she expects this policy to become compulsory during work hours.&nbsp;

"But I don't mind as it's a way to learn about wearing appropriate clothes taught in Islam," she said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

An Indonesian politician is facing a lot of criticism after he asked female civil servants to wear niqab once in a week in defence of novel coronavirus. Mohammad Suhaili Fadhil Thohir, the head of Central Lombok regency, said he made the decision after government employees complained about wearing face masks in the office during calisthenics held outside every Friday.

An Indonesian politician is facing a lot of criticism after he asked female civil servants to wear niqab once in a week in defence of novel coronavirus. Mohammad Suhaili Fadhil Thohir, the head of Central Lombok regency, said he made the decision after government employees complained about wearing face masks in the office during calisthenics held outside every Friday. Also read | Indonesia's military academy in West Java province hit by COVID-19 outbreak; over 1,300 infected Critics slam the order as a means to impose conservative Islamic rules and said niqab did not bring sufficient protection to curb the spread of coronavirus. Also read | Indonesian president threatens to reshuffle cabinet over COVID-19 response Thohir however defended his order and denied calling it based on "radical teachings or fanaticism". "It is purely for COVID-19 prevention," he said, reported AFP, adding there is no punishment for ignoring this rule. "To make sure civil servants cover their nose and mouth during the weekly exercise we asked them to wear veils." The policy that was imposed last month asked male civil servants to don medical masks while performing these exercises. The rights groups have slammed the move and called for a review. "The policy should be reviewed because it could threaten women's health rights," Andy Yentriyani, a commissioner at the National Commission on Violence Against Women said. However, Yayuh, a civil servant, said she expects this policy to become compulsory during work hours. "But I don't mind as it's a way to learn about wearing appropriate clothes taught in Islam," she said.

Indonesian politician's veil policy to curb coronavirus draws ire