Coronavirus NSW: Crowds at Sydney beaches a ‘recipe for disaster’

One of Australia‘s top virus experts has warned NSW residents their hard work could be undone, after thousands packed Sydney’s beaches.

One of Australia’s top coronavirus experts has warned that a packed day at Sydney’s beaches could be a “recipe for disaster” in NSW’s progress against the deadly disease.

Monday’s public holiday, coupled with 30C temperatures, saw thousands flock to the eastern suburbs’ most popular swimming spots, forcing local councils to sound the alarm, urging beachgoers to reconsider their plan and turning people away.

As NSW reported its tenth consecutive day without any cases of community transmission, World Health Organisation (WHO) adviser and epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws warned that the environment at the beach was perfect for coronavirus to thrive.

“You think about what it’s like at the beach, where you’re surrounded by a whole bunch of strangers chatting and laughing because you’re out in the sun,” she told 7 News.

“Then that’s an issue, because what we do know about COVID-19 is that it’s transmitted through large droplets.”

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Monday’s public holiday, coupled with soaring temperatures, saw thousands flocking to Sydney’s beaches. Picture: David Gray/AFP

An environment like the one at Coogee is a “recipe for disaster”, one of Australia’s top coronavirus experts warned. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Prof McLaws said NSW’s progress against the disease could come undone if we see more days like Monday occur.

“The risk in part is that we’ll change our attitude and implement pre-COVID behaviours,” she said.

“Enjoying ourselves and not thinking ‘am I a safe distance away? How long have I been chatting to this person?’ is a recipe for disaster.

“We can’t afford this yet.”

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard had a similar message on Monday morning, telling Sunrise that residents “need to keep in mind that complacency could turn this thing upside down very quickly”.

“If we don’t make sure that we have symptoms that we’re going to get tested, then this could break loose,” he said.

“The community has been great but we need to keep it up. I worry very much that people will become complacent and this virus is very sneaky, it is among us.”

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A sign informing people of social distancing measures at Bondi Beach. Picture: David Gray/AFP

A policeman patrols as people visit Bondi Beach in Sydney on Monday. Picture: David Gray/AFP

Despite the possible public health risk, Waverley Council Mayor Paula Masselos told the ABC on Monday afternoon she was pleased with the number of people who hit the popular spot because it gave the council and authorities a chance to test their control measures.

“As public health orders change and as we get more experience with the summer to see how it’s going, there may be a need to tweak it just a little bit,” she said.

“But this long weekend has shown that so far we’re absolutely spot-on with our plan. It’s really going to be about how we can manage capacity on our beaches and people have had some time now to habituate around the COVID environment.”

Last month, the NSW Government announced its COVID Safe Summer Plan, with officials outlining the strict new rules residents will have to follow if they want to enjoy the warm weather.

Keeping a “towel length” apart from others on the peach, social distancing markers at parks and diners spilling out on to the street were just some of the changed outlined in the plan.