Coronavirus QLD: Surfers Paradise, The Spit and Coolangatta beaches to be closed
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has closed some of the Glitter Strip’s most popular beaches in response to the coronavirus crisis, blaming “out of towners” for flocking to the coast and gathering en masse on the sand in spite of social distancing restrictions.
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GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has closed some of the most popular Glitter Strip beaches in response to the coronavirus crisis.
In a media conference Cr Tate said he will close Surfers Paradise, The Spit and Coolangatta from midnight tomorrow in a bid to deter mass gatherings, especially people from Brisbane.
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The move comes as big crowds flocked to areas including the Southport Spit at the weekend, flouting warnings about public gatherings and social distancing.
“Unfortunately, over the weekend, out-of-towners descended on the Gold Coast in mass numbers, and I fear that this number will increase over the Easter weekend,” Cr Tate told a media conference.
“Therefore, as of midnight Tuesday, The Spit, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta beaches will be closed.
“Logan and Brisbane, we love you, but we don’t want you visiting us right now.
“The balance of beaches will remain open for locals so they can continue to walk and exercise.”
Cr Tate said The Spit, hugely popular with surfers, fishers and dog walkers, would be barricaded off.
He warned people flouting the ban faced fines and threatened to close more beaches if crowds continued to gather.
The boundaries for the beach closures are:
Coolangatta Beach will be closed from Greenmount Point to the Coolangatta Groyne.
Surfers Paradise From Clifford St Tower 33 to South Narrowneck Tower 37 adjacent to Higman St.
The Spit From Tower 42 adjacent to Seaworld to the rock wall adjacent to Tower 46
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