Coronavirus Adelaide: Beach-goers keep their distance (mostly)
There were no repeats of the selfish scenes interstate on Adelaide’s beaches today, with many of those soaking up the sun also appearing to soak in the social distancing message.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Free subscription: Get our four-week digital trial
- Two-week wipeout: Where SA jobs have vanished
- This story about the coronavirus crisis is free for all readers – please consider supporting our journalism with a subscription
With the sun gloriously shining and the mercury rising, Saturday provided the perfect excuse to head to any one of Adelaide’s sensational beaches to soak up the rays and enjoy the fresh air.
But with the coronavirus pandemic providing the background to everyday life in Australia at the moment, most were happier to stay at home.
Adelaide’s most famous beach, Glenelg, was a ghost town in comparison to a usual 30-degree day.
Signs placed on and around the beach that read: “social distancing saves lives”, served as a warning for the public to keep the recommended 1.5m away from each other.
Thankfully, it was a warning that was being heeded by those who were in attendance. Mosley Square, where pubs and cafes would usually be filled to the brim with patrons, had come to a standstill.
However, the stores and dining options that still had their doors open were sticking to social distancing procedures. Places like the popular Orange Spot Bakery on Anzac Highway had their queue on the street, with patrons staying well away from each other.
It was a similar story at Henley Beach. While there were still beachgoers and fitness junkies in attendance, they were all keeping their distance.
Brighton Beach was slightly busier in the afternoon around lunchtime, but once again, social distancing was obviously at the top of people’s mind.
Adelaide beaches were in stark contrast to some of the scenes which have played out interstate with Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach shut down after crowds flocked to the sand last week.
On Friday, St Kilda and other popular Melbourne beaches were closed down after scores of people headed to the bay despite tightened coronavirus restrictions. Hundreds of people were lying along the beach on Friday afternoon, some in groups of 10-15, with police being called in to move many along.
SA’s chief public health officer, Associate Professor Dr Nicola Spurrier, said people should have common sense in open spaces such as the beach.
MORE NEWS:
‘Take my virus survival as a message of hope’
Letters from Wuhan – what Chinese lockdown was really like
“We are very lucky in SA because we have beaches, we have national parks and we have wide open spaces,” she said.
“There is no problem with people taking exercise (such as) walking their dogs, so long as they are staying in their own very small family groups. We do not want to see large gatherings of people.
“You must keep your social distancing rule.
“I have gone for a run this morning, everybody I saw in the national park I have said hello to, but I’ve made sure I’ve taken a wide berth, and kept 1.5m away.
“It is just the thing we are going to have to do from now on.”
Originally published as Coronavirus Adelaide: Beach-goers keep their distance (mostly)
Battle to save animals on the brink at Outback reserve
Conservationists are battling to save animals at an Outback reserve from the effects of the worst drought in recent memory, and have received a funding boost to redouble their efforts.
Country tradie to face court over incomplete work
A country tradesman will face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court over allegations he was not licenced and refused to refund money to clients.