‘Morons’: Fury over images of wild Bondi private parties amid fears of second coronavirus wave

Images of private parties in Bondi over the weekend have sparked fury amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections in Sydney.

Images of private parties in Bondi over the weekend have sparked fury amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections in Sydney.

NSW Police confirmed officers were forced to shut down a number of private parties in Sydney’s eastern suburbs due to guests not complying with social-distancing rules on Saturday.

Footage of one of the parties shows someone’s home in Bondi turned into a nightclub packed with more than 100 people.

It shows people dancing together inside in close proximity with a full lights and DJ set-up.

#BREAKING Bondi house party breaks all the rules...

Gym, pub, house party... NSW you know it's coming...#covid19nsw #lockdown #secondwave #ninenews pic.twitter.com/WFmZjwJoB6

— BigBadDenis (@BigBadDenis) July 12, 2020

The maximum number of people currently allowed to gather at a home is 20. Police said no fines were issued but partygoers were moved on.

Footage of the parties has sparked anger online, and the state’s Premier says it is “absolutely unacceptable” that people are breaking the rules at such a critical juncture in the battle against the coronavirus.

Footage of several private parties in Bondi emerged over the weekend. Picture: 10 News

Hundreds of angry comments have been posted social media over the footage, with the partygoers blasted as “selfish morons”.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday community transmissions at a Sydney pub, in the city’s southwest, have put the state on “high alert” and “literally at a crossroads” in its fight against the pandemic.

She warned that, if people break the rules “we will go down the path of Victoria”.

“It is absolutely unacceptable for people to be breaching the rules at this stage,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“We have literally the next few weeks to continue on the strong path we’ve been on, otherwise we will go down the path of Victoria. It’s up to us now.”

She even threatened tougher new rules.

“Do not be surprised if the Government takes any further action in relation to large gatherings,” she said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned her state “will go down the path of Victoria” if rules aren’t followed. Picture: Damian Shaw

“It only takes a small minority of people to do the wrong thing to have the whole state go backwards.”

NSW Police is also investigating after officers were called to a trial rugby match in Bellevue Hill on Saturday afternoon after photos surfaced online, appearing to show supporters breaking social-distancing rules.

Officers were called to Easts Rugby Club where a Shute Shield trial game against Sydney University was being held.

“About 3:40pm (on Saturday), police were called following concerns over physical distancing at a rugby game in Bellevue Hill,” a police statement read. “Officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command are conducting inquiries.”

Also in Sydney this week, the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay was fined $5,500 after a group of about 250 customers stood crowded together outside the venue.

This image of the Golden Sheaf in Double Bay on Wednesday attracted widespread criticism. Picture: Reddit

This all comes as a cluster of nine coronavirus cases have been traced to a Sydney pub.

In a media release NSW Health said four new cases had been confirmed yesterday were directly linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula in southwest Sydney.

Because the pub is on a busy highway and used by truckers, it is feared cases may have spread further afield — sparking a national warning.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth said it was “critically important” that anybody who visited the south Sydney pub at the centre of the new cluster self-isolates for 14 days, and seeks a test.

“Anyone who was at the Crossroads Hotel in Casula in southwest Sydney between the dates of the 3 July and the 10 July, anyone who visited that particular venue, you are required to self isolate until 14 days after your visit,” Dr Coatsworth said on Sunday.

“Furthermore, if you were at that particular pub between July 3 and July 10, you are strongly encouraged to get tested, regardless of your symptoms.

Carpark testing continues for COVID-19 at Crossroads Hotel in Casula. Picture: Dylan Robinson

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said authorities are trying to find the source of infection.

“While investigations are continuing, it is vital people get tested so we can try and establish the source of infection at the hotel. I encourage people to access a number of clinics at local hospitals at Campbelltown, Fairfield and Liverpool so people are tested as quickly as possible,” Dr Chant said.

Additional staff have been deployed to the pop-up clinic at the Crossroads Hotel to expedite those people who wish to be tested there.

Queensland authorities have also echoed the call. Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the outbreak was concerning.

“The hotel is a busy stopover for many travellers, so it is very likely that there are a number of Queenslanders who have been there during this period,” he said.