Beach bunnies hit Henley as regions stay quiet
Crowds of people descended on Henley Beach for the first day of the Easter break, despite the Premier imploring South Australians to stay home over the long weekend.
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People turned out in droves at Henley Beach on the first day of the Easter break – despite authorities urging everyone to stay home this weekend.
Beaches are not off-limits to the public but the State Government and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens had in recent days been encouraging South Australians to remain at home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
There are, however, enforceable rules in place that ban gatherings of 10 or more people in public areas.
Those caught flouting this direction face $1060 on-the-spot fines.
This morning, hundreds of joggers, walkers, and those who simply wanted to soak up the beach atmosphere, converged on Henley Beach, hanging out at popular Henley Square or on the sand.
Richard Gardner, 56, and his family spent time at Henley Square this afternoon.
The Gardners are temporarily living at Henley Beach while they wait for their new house to be built.
“We’re basically across the road,” he said.
“We did check and make sure there was social distancing,”
Fulham Gardens resident Andrew, who asked that his last name not be published, also ducked down to Henley Square with his family.
He was keen to get out of the house to give his young sons some exercise.
“Everyone seems to be respecting the social distancing pretty well,” Andrew, 42, said.
It came after Mr Stevens on Thursday implored people to stay home over the Easter long weekend, warning that police would maintain a hard line against those blatantly ignoring strict COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Stevens’ also said drones would play a key role in police aerial patrols of popular holiday spots across South Australia.
This is despite there being no current State Government restrictions on travelling to any particular destination.
“Where there is a blatant disregard for those warnings, we will take action and we make no apology for that,” Mr Stevens warned.
“We will be out in force. While there are no restrictions on travelling to those locations, we are encouraging people not to go there.
“Do not visit these areas. Unnecessary travel creates a certain level of tension and a perception of risk among those communities.”
The Advertiser on Wednesday captured the moment shoppers – ignoring social distancing rules – lined up to buy chocolates on Jetty Rd Glenelg.
Mounted police officers asked the crowd to keep their distance as dozens of people rushed to finish their Easter shopping. No-one was fined.
While some were lucky to escape with cautions, 11 people were each slapped with a $1060 fine for breaching gathering rules at a party in Port Augusta.
The group ignored repeated warnings from police to disperse.
The prohibited gathering was sprung when officers responded to noise complaints relating to a house on Main St on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
“Police visited the address four times and on each occasion found a group of 13 people gathering in the back yard or inside the house,” SA Police said in a statement.
“On the first three visits, police provided advice in relation to social distancing and prohibited gatherings.”
On the fourth occasion police attended the houses, just after 11.20am on Wednesday, they found 13 people in the lounge room, 11 of which were fined $1060 each for participating in a prohibited gathering.
A total of five Port Augusta men, aged 54, 53, 49, 34 and 32, as well as five Port Augusta women, aged 41, 35, 37, 57 and 47, and a 53-year-old Whyalla Stuart man were issued the expiation notices.
Police are making inquiries about the remaining two people at the gathering.
In South Australia, individuals can be fined $1060 and businesses can be fined $5000 for gathering in groups of 10 or more people.
The measures have been introduced in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
