Covid-19: Locals flock to Bronte on worst day of Sydney outbreak

NSW recording 124 cases on the worst day of the spiralling outbreak hasn’t been enough to keep hundreds of people flocking to their local beach.

NSW recording 124 cases on the worst day of the spiralling Sydney outbreak hasn’t been enough to keep hundreds of beachgoers from flocking to the coast, to soak up the midwinter sun.

Images snapped by The Daily Telegraph on Thursday show throngs of people on the busy main strip of Bronte, with many appearing to be lining up outside cafes.

One photograph captures a NSW Police car cruising by.

Other shots show groups of people who appear to be standing admiring the surf in close proximity following their morning coffee run, with few wearing masks.

Groups of people congregate at Bronte Beach on Thursday. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Urjal Maharjan, manager of popular Bronte spot The Bogey Hole Café, said despite the throngs of people he had few concerns for himself or his staff, saying customers had been complying to health orders.

“Before, everyone refused to wear the mask – these days everyone wears a mask, scans the QR code, it’s fine now. We don’t have to tell them these days,” he said.

The scenes come days after NSW Police said they had been “out in force” targeting beaches and coastal areas in Sydney to enforce social distancing measures.

Bronte’s busy main strip on Thursday morning. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

It’s understood Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command handed out six $1000 fines for non-compliance with health orders on Wednesday, with a similar figure expected Thursday.

Police across NSW handed out 215 penalty infringement notices on Wednesday, with 84 of those for people refusing to wear masks.

A busy Bondi Beach today. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Sixteen people were charged with failing to comply with police orders.

While NSW Police declined to comment on the busy morning at Bronte, they said in a statement: “The NSW Police Force continues to work closely with the NSW Government and the community to ensure adherence and compliance to all requirements under the Public Health Order”.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott earlier this week threatened to shut busy stretches of coastline like Bondi Beach if people didn’t abide by public health orders.

“I can’t believe the good people of Fairfield have responded with an A-plus and the people of the eastern suburbs seem to think Covid won’t infect them,” he said.