Coronavirus: Bondi Beach to re-open this weekend

After the “good behaviour” of beachgoers this week, restrictions at Sydney’s most iconic beach are set to be lifted after a month behind fences. However, lifeguards are expecting bumper crowds due to the weather forecast.

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Health authorities and the State Government are set to lift restrictions at the iconic Bondi Beach this weekend after lauding the good behaviour since it was reopened to the public.

Initial plans that saw it open up between 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday came into play last week after a month behind fences, however, that restriction is set to be lifted for the first time tomorrow.

Swimmers and surfers will now be free to use the beach for exercise on Saturday and Sunday after thousands of people blatantly ignoring social distancing during the peak of the city’s coronavirus pandemic caused outrage and forced its closure in March.

This was the scene that caused outrage on March 20. Picture: AAP/John Fotiadis

It is understood staff at Waverley Council, whose jurisdiction covers the beach and affluent eastern suburbs, are expecting a bumper weekend due to the weather and are anticipating “surf and go only” or “swim and go only” periods tomorrow.

The Waverley LGA emerged as the epicentre of Sydney’s coronavirus crisis after scores of cases were transmitted from a number of public events and parties.

The stunning scenes of thousands sunbaking on the sand while dozens of people died from the highly-contagious virus earned the ire of Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who ordered it be closed until further notice on March 21.

Beachgoers are seen at Bondi Beach despite the threat of Coronavirus. Picture: AAP/John Fotiadis

Neighbouring beaches of Maroubra and Coogee were also closed after beachgoers ventured a few kilometres down the coast in the wake of the decision.

They too have since reopened under certain restrictions.

Waverley Council was quietly hatching plans of how to manage the tourist hub’s reopening behind the scenes after Eastern Suburbs Police commander Mark Scott shared a “level of comfort” about allowing the public back onto the beach.

Exercising on the sand is still banned and lifeguards will be strictly monitoring the behaviour of people this weekend.

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