Despite the crackdown on gatherings, workout junkies defy outdoor gym ban
Fitness fanatics are refusing to yield to bans on outdoor gyms along Melbourne’s bayside and are ripping off council signs stating the areas are closed so they can continue working out.
Inner South
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Signs warning people outdoor gyms have been closed have been ripped off or destroyed by vandals in several Melbourne suburbs.
About 60 playgrounds, fitness stations and skate parks in Port Phillip will be cordoned off by the end of the day as “selfish people” continue to risk lives by flouting social distancing laws.
The council’s move comes after fitness fanatics kept on using an outdoor gym in Middle Park on Tuesday, despite Premier Daniel Andrews announcing their closure as part of Stage 3 coronavirus restrictions.
Council workers arrived just after 2pm to cordon off the outdoor gym, placing “temporary closure” signs.
But the signs were removed by 8.30pm.
Port Phillip Mayor Bernadene Voss said she was “amazed and appalled” people continued to gather at outdoor fitness stations.
Skate parks were also continuing to attract crowds, she said.
“In view of this, we are taping off 50 playgrounds, two skate parks and six fitness stations … by the end of today (Wednesday),” Cr Voss said.
“The message has to get through – lives are at stake if people do not play their part in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
Cr Voss told fitness fanatics to “walk, run, or go for a ride” while adhering to social distancing requirements but to stay away from the council’s closed facilities.
Signs at an exercise station in Dendy Park have also been destroyed.
Bayside Council’s acting director of environment, recreation and infrastructure Hamish Reid said “destruction” of the signs was “very disappointing”.
“Everyone has a role to play in mitigating the spread of coronavirus (and) the message is clear — if you can stay home, stay home,” Mr Reid said.
“Many Bayside residents are doing the right thing however a small number are not following social distancing restrictions.”
Dr Reid confirmed the council had received a number of complaints about groups of people gathering in public.
He said new signs would be installed soon and urged residents to “respect the restrictions”.
Neighbouring Glen Eira has increased patrols of parks and open spaces as the council continues to receive complaints about people ignoring the closures, with six in the past few days.
Mayor Margaret Esakoff said Victoria Police were responsible for fining people, and urged people to report people breaching social distancing rules to Crime Stoppers.
FITNESS FANATICS IGNORE OUTDOOR GYM AND BEACH BAN
Workout junkies continue to use outdoor fitness equipment in some areas, even though they were closed officially under new lock down measures.
One angry witness Simon, whose apartment overlooks the gym at the corner of Bourke and Collins streets in Docklands, said some people were “putting chin-ups ahead of public safety” on Tuesday, despite Stage 3 restrictions coming into effect overnight.
“I can see someone right now taking a selfie,” he told Leader during a telephone interview.
Simon said one closure notice had been placed on the equipment which was being ignored.
“We saw on St Kilda beach that too many people are not taking this seriously,” he said.
He called for public fencing “to protect public health and until they do that, have a couple of local laws officers down here telling people to obey the closure.”
He said on Monday scores of people had been using the equipment – ignoring number limits – before the full ban came into place.
And in Bayside, a photo doing the rounds on social media shows Half Moon Bay on Saturday afternoon looking more like a busy summer day, despite Bayside Council closing the beaches last Friday.
“This looks like a normal summer day not like we are in the middle of a pandemic,” one angry Facebook user wrote.
Bayside Mayor Clarke Martin issued a stern warning for people to comply with the new laws.
“To be clear, the only reason you should be out of the house is to get food supplies, for medical care, for work and education if necessary and exercise,” Cr Martin said.
“The only reason you should be at the beach is if you can walk there, you can’t jump in your car and drive to the beach.”
Bayside city planning and amenity acting director Matthew Cripps confirmed council officers spoke to more than 1000 people at the beach on Saturday to inform them of the restrictions.
He said by Sunday there was a significant drop in visitors, with about 50 people being spoken to.
Mr Cripps said on the spot fines could only be issued by Victoria Police.
And people exercising along crowded paths on Port Phillip’s beach paths have been criticised by furious residents.
A photo snapped at Elwood beach on Sunday at 11.15am and shared on Facebook showed people walking and jogging along the crowded path.
While using outdoor gyms, playgrounds or skate parks is no longer allowed, under the new measures people can still exercise in parks while maintaining a 1.5 metre distance from other people.
Anyone caught refusing or failing to comply with the new directives, can be slapped with an on-the-spot $1652 fine by Victoria Police.
Maritime Safety Victoria confirmed recreational boating was not allowed.
“Your exposure to others while refuelling, buying bait or being rescued in the event of an incident may contribute to the spread of COVID-19,” it said in a statement.
“This is tough. But each of us are being asked to make sacrifices to save lives.”
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