A group of 10 foreigners who broke Covid-19 lockdown rules in an Indian town were made to write "I am so sorry" 500 times as punishment, officials said on Sunday, April 12.

The travellers hailed from Israel, Mexico, Australia and Austria.

They were caught taking a walk in northern India’s Rishikesh, made famous by the Beatles who sought spirituality at an ashram in 1968.

The exact wording the foreigners were made to write repeatedly were: “I did not follow the rules of lockdown so I am so sorry”.

A photo circulating on Twitter showed a group of Westerners writing on pieces of paper while watched over by police holding sticks.

A local police officer said the unusual punishment was handed out to teach them a lesson.

Police said they would direct hotels in the area to allow foreign guests to step out only if accompanied by local helpers.

Establishments that did not follow the order could face legal action,

Foreigners treated to less severe unusual punishment

More than 700 foreign tourists from the US, Australia, Mexico and Israel staying in the area had flouted the lockdown rules in India.

Officers in some states have taken to beating drivers on roadsides and making people do squats and leapfrogs as punishment for going out during the lockdown.

The nationwide lockdown was imposed near the end of March, with residents permitted to leave their homes only for essential services such as buying groceries and medicine.

But it is not all violence.

Police in India have taken to wearing coronavirus-shaped helmets to encourage people to stay home to halt the spread of the deadly disease.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to extend a nationwide lockdown that was originally slated to end on Tuesday, for another two weeks.

Some states have already extended the restrictions.

On Sunday, India had registered more than 8,300 Covid-19 cases and 273 deaths from the disease.

Top photo via livehindustan.com