Coronavirus: Northern Beaches rules over easter, what you can, can’t do
Strict social distancing rules are in place for this Easter weekend, especially on the northern beaches, a known hotspot for COVID-19. So what are you allowed and not allowed to do? Find out here.
Manly
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Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan is sending a strong message to people thinking about coming to our beaches over the Easter weekend: “They are closed”.
It comes as police warned they would be out targeting all non-essential travel and the council shut Manly, Shelly, North Steyne, Queenscliff and Dee Why beaches to swimmers due to the areas being hotspots for the community transmission of COVID-19.
They won’t be reopened until after the long weekend.
Many benches and tables have also been taped off to discourage people from sitting down.
Cr Regan said the council was acting in the interest of safety.
“We are sending a message: Don’t come for a family day out or a picnic at our beaches over Easter, they are closed,” he said.
“We are asking our community to follow the advice, stay home and if you must use the beach, use it for exercise only and move on.
“And to those people who are questioning our actions, please know we are not making these decisions lightly.
“The health and safety of our community and our staff are at the heart of everything we are doing.”
However, despite saying the beaches are closed, only Manly, Shelly, North Steyne, Queenscliff and Dee Why are currently closed and only to swimmers, with people still allowed to exercise on the sand.
And, even then, people and surfers at those beaches are ignoring the closed signs and are going in the water anyway.
Some people on social media have complained about the council’s confusing messaging.
A spokesman said the council is taking a commonsense approach to exercise and individual circumstances, but the main message is for people to only be on the beach for a short time and move home once they have finished.
He said those flouting the rules could face fines.
To help residents the Manly Daily asked the council for clarification on what people can and cannot do on public beaches and in public spaces this weekend:
The dos and don’ts
*Manly, Shelly, North Steyne, Queenscliff and Dee Why beaches are closed as if they are closed for dangerous conditions: no flagged areas, people are asked not to swim.
*People can still use the sand areas for exercise, any exercise, if they are not breaching the rules of no more than two people unless they are in your immediate family, and social distancing of 1.5m.
*That exercise can include frisbee and ball games like soccer and cricket, as long as it is with your immediate family or with just one other person outside the household and you keep a distance of 1.5m.
*Fishing is a permitted form of exercise.
*If people are hanging around, sitting, sunbaking, picnicking they will be asked to move on.
*The reserves and promenades are being monitored and will be closed as necessary. As will all other beaches and reserves over the weekend.
*The 1hr beach carparking restrictions are in place to help encourage people to move off the beach quickly.
*Think carefully about travelling anywhere for exercise. Driving from one end of the peninsula to the other to exercise would fall under non-essential travel and could result in a fine from police.
Mackellar MP Jason Falinski said while people need to get out for fresh air and exercise and that was fine, they should do so in their local area.
“People need to stay at home,” he said. “If your local beach is Freshwater, go to Freshwater.
“We need to make sure the flattening of the curve continues and we don’t want people being lax over social distancing at Easter.
“This is about saving lives.”